When Mary, 62, recently applied for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, she did so out of desperation.

“My husband and I had no food in the house,” she recalled. “Ironically, even if we could have afforded groceries, which we couldn’t, we then wouldn’t have had the money to fix our car to get to the store.” Upon learning the pair had been denied food stamps because their income was too high, Mary was shocked. “It didn’t make sense,” she said.

Celest, 64, similarly couldn’t understand why her household didn’t qualify for SNAP assistance. “We kept being denied food stamps during the pandemic,” she said, “even though my husband couldn’t run his home business during the shutdown and my daughter had lost her job. My small monthly Social Security benefit wasn’t enough to for us to live on, and I was really worried about how we were going to eat.”

According to Ebony White, NCOA Director of Economic Security & Social Safety Net Initiatives, stories like these aren’t that uncommon.

The SNAP application process can be difficult to navigate, even for older adults and caregivers who are comfortable managing paperwork,” she explained.

“And the slightest error can impact your eligibility for benefits,” Bauer said.

This was the case for both Mary and Celest. And that’s why NCOA wants you to know when—and how—you can appeal an unexpected SNAP benefits decision. You can learn more about this process below. But first, it’s helpful to understand some common reasons behind benefits rejections.

Why would someone be denied food stamps?

There are several valid explanations, including:

• Disallowed citizenship status

Only U.S. citizens and certain non-citizens are eligible for SNAP benefits.

• State residency restrictions: You may only apply for SNAP in state where you currently live and you may only collect benefits in one state at a time.
• Excessive income and assets: You must meet specific SNAP income and asset eligibility standards. In most cases, if your income and assets are too high, you won't qualify for food assistance. But older adults and people with disabilities have more flexible rules that can make it easier to qualify.
• Failure to meet work requirements: Most adults age 18 to 64 without dependents must now work, volunteer, or take part in a job training program for at least 80 hours each month to keep getting SNAP beenfits. If you do not meet these rules, you may only be able to receive SNAP for three months within a three-year period.
• Incomplete verification: If you fail to include all required documents, your application can be rejected.
• Missed interview: If your state requires a SNAP interview, and you don't have your interview within 30 days of submitting your application, you may be denied benefits.

When should I file a SNAP appeal?

Usually, your SNAP assistance decision is correct. That said, honest mistakes do happen, and your circumstances can change. Sometimes, your application for food stamps may mistakenly have been denied, reduced, or terminated due to one of these common errors:

• Misunderstanding SNAP eligibility rules
• Miscalculating income and expenses
• Accidentally omitting required information
• Missing a mandatory SNAP interview

Mary, for instance, had counted her household income twice without realizing it. And Celest, wary of scams, didn’t pick up the phone for her SNAP interview appointment. Fortunately, both women reached out to their respective local agencies to ask how to appeal their SNAP benefits decisions. And both were relieved to learn that they did, in fact, qualify for assistance.

If you applied for food stamps in good faith—and if you’re genuinely confused by the result—then it’s always a good idea to ask what may have happened. White advised first to ask your local SNAP agency for help, as Mary and Celest did. In both instances, a caseworker was able to identify and correct the problem before either had to consider filing a formal appeal.

How do I file a SNAP appeal?

If you believe your SNAP application was incorrectly denied, or you’re unhappy with the SNAP benefit amount you receive, you have the right to an appeals hearing through your state’s Department of Human Services (DHS). In some states, DHS goes by a different name (such as the Department of Social Services or Department of Family Welfare), so be sure to seek out the specific entity that administers SNAP where you live.

“A fair hearing can help make sure decisions about your application are accurate and fair,” said Bauer.

The DHS appeals and hearings process varies by state, but there are some common steps you can take in order to initiate one:

1. On your SNAP verification letter (or other form you may have received describing your SNAP benefits):

• Locate the section titled “I want to appeal.”
• Write “I disagree with this decision.”
• Sign and date the letter.
• Bring or send it to your local SNAP office where you originally applied for benefits.

2. Alternately, call your SNAP caseworker directly:

• Let them know you want to file an appeal
• Follow up with a written statement (you don’t need to use an official SNAP appeal form; you can simply type or hand-write a letter)
• E-mail or send it to your caseworker as soon as possible

You should receive a notice from your state within a few weeks that includes further details about your hearing.

Many states maintain strict deadlines around the appeals process; it’s important that you ask about these and adhere to them. And remember: you have the right to ask a trusted friend, family member, social worker, or other advocate to help you file an appeal and to bring them to your hearing, too.

Can I apply for food stamps after being denied?

Yes. There is no rule against doing so.

In fact, if you previously have been denied for SNAP benefits but your circumstances have changed, you may reapply as early as the next day. You also may reapply whenever your circumstances change, as often as they change.

Discover additional financial assistance

Did you know there are programs to help older adults stay healthy and afford everyday living expenses such as food, medicine, housing and utilities, transportation, and more?

Many of these programs may be available in addition to SNAP. Explore these programs for yourself or someone else using NCOA’s handy Benefits CheckUp^®. This handy online tool is free and 100% confidential. Visit the site and enter your ZIP code to get started.