Unhoused Individuals & SNAP

By More Food

You may have heard about SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and its benefits for those who are eligible. However, what you may not know is that individuals who are unhoused can still qualify for SNAP benefits when they meet the eligibility requirements.

Today we are going over those requirements and all the information needed for unhoused individuals interested in applying for SNAP in North Carolina.

Residents of Public or Private Nonprofit Shelters for Homeless Persons

Residents of public or private nonprofit shelters for homeless persons can use SNAP benefits to purchase prepared meals from USDA approved homeless meal providers. In addition, homeless persons are not subject to the policy that excludes individuals from eligibility for SNAP when an institution provides most of the residents’ meals (over 50%).

Individuals in a homeless shelter who participate in SNAP, must be treated as separate households from the other homeless individuals with whom they reside. Mandatory household combinations, such as a homeless spouse in the same shelter, are still counted as a single household as required by law.

Homeless shelters, however, cannot be chosen as authorized representative for their residents.


Source:https://policies.ncdhhs.gov/divisional/social-services/food-and-nutrition-services/policy-manuals/fss212.pdf

Verification of Identity

The following documents are acceptable as verification of identity for homeless individuals:

  • Driver’s license 
  • Work or school ID 
  • ID for health benefits 
  • Voter registration card 
  • Wage stubs 
  • Birth certificate 
  • Citizenship requirement 
  • Verification of receipt of other social services programs such as but not limited to Medicaid and Work First Family Assistance. There is no timeframe to the receipt of the other programs if receipt of the other program can reasonably verify their identity.

If none of these documents are available, an unhoused individual may use a collateral contact (a homeless shelter, person they are staying with, or any other individual aware of the individual’s circumstances).

Source: https://policies.ncdhhs.gov/divisional/social-services/food-and-nutrition-services/policy-manuals/fss205.pdf

ABAWD Time Limit

ABAWD (Abled-Bodied Adult Without Dependents) is a person between the ages of 18 and 52 who is fit for work and does not have a child under the age of 18. When applying for SNAP, ABAWDs are usually only given benefits for 3 months, after which they are expected to return to the work force.

An unhoused individual who meets at least one of the exemptions listed in this section is not subject to the ABAWD time-limit. If an individual is exempt for any part of the month, the individual is exempt for the entire month. The ABAWD exemptions apply when living at one of the following:

  1. A supervised shelter designed to provide temporary accommodations (such as a welfare hotel or congregate shelter).
  2. A halfway house or similar institution that provides temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized. 
  3. A temporary accommodation for not more than 90 days in the residence of another individual.
  4. A place not designed for, or ordinarily used, as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (a hallway, a bus station, a lobby, or similar places). Unfit for employment due to alcohol or drug dependence addiction. 

Notes:

  • Chronic homelessness is no longer a requirement.
  • As a reminder, if verification is required, agencies may accept multiple forms of documentary evidence. Homeless individuals and households are specifically exempted from the requirement to verify residency. 

Source: https://policies.ncdhhs.gov/divisional/social-services/food-and-nutrition-services/policy-manuals/fns260.pdf

General Delivery

General Delivery is a solution available at the Post Office™ for those without a mailing address or who need a temporary mailing address. General delivery is used for:

  • Post Office™ locations without city carrier delivery service.
  • Non-city delivery offices for those who prefer not to use Post Office Box service and for whom use of Post Office box, Caller Service, or delivery by letter carrier, would be an unreasonable inconvenience.
  • A participating Post Office to serve transients (people who travel extensively) and those without a permanent address.
  • Anyone who wants Post Office box service when Post Office boxes are unavailable.

General delivery is open for all to use, but there could be restrictions if:

  • Individual cannot present suitable identification.
  • Individual has mail volume or service level (e.g., mail accumulation) that cannot be reasonably accommodated.

Moreover, no application is required for general delivery. You may speak to a postmaster if you are interested in receiving general delivery. The postmaster will determine the amount of time you are able to use this service.

General delivery mail is usually held for no more than 30 days unless the sender requests a shorter period. It can only be hold longer upon request by the sender, addressee, or postmaster. Mail without a specific address or instructions from the sender is held for about 10 or 15 days.

To address a mail piece to a person using general delivery, follow this format:

FIRST AND LAST NAME

GENERAL DELIVERY

CITY STATE ZIP

Note: General delivery mail is not delivered on Sundays or Holidays.

Source: https://faq.usps.com/s/article/What-is-General-Delivery

For questions about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or to receive SNAP Application Assistance contact the More In My Basket staff:

Visit: morefood.org

English Toll Free: 1-855-240-1451

Spanish Toll Free: 1-888-382-7105