Food Stamps Dos & Don'ts

If my food stamps are ending how long do I have to use my balance? It all depends on your state, but these and other questions are important to answer if you want to avoid losing your benefits altogether.

As of March 2022, more than ​41.3 million​ Americans were receiving extra help each month to pay for groceries through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the program.

Food stamps are coordinated and issued by individual states, but the rules and expectations for program participants are the same for everyone. To ensure that you get the most out of your food stamp benefits, follow some simple do’s and don’ts.

If you think you might be eligible for food stamps, you should apply. While the federal government sets the general income guidelines for food stamp eligibility, based on how your income compares to federal poverty level guidelines, you can take certain deductions from your income for expenses related to housing, utilities, child care and medical payments that may make you eligible for assistance.

The only way you can be sure if you qualify for food stamps is to apply and allow a caseworker to determine your eligibility. If you are not eligible, ask why. You are entitled to a fair hearing to find out why you are not eligible and to plead your case.

Do food stamps expire? Yes, so use your benefits even if your monthly benefit amount is small. Unused benefits carry over from month to month, but if you do not use your electronics benefit transfer (EBT) card often enough, you might lose your benefits, explains the National Council on Aging.

In some cases, you must use your card every ​90 days​, depending on your state. Not only will you lose the remainder of your card benefits if you let it sit idle, but you could be dropped from the program and have to reapply.

Follow the food stamp rules as they are outlined by your state department of social services. Not following the rules can cause you to lose your benefits, either temporarily or permanently, or even lead to fines or jail time. You can only purchase certain items with your food stamp benefits, including fruits and vegetables; meat, poultry and fish; bread and cereal products; frozen foods; and dairy products.

You cannot use food stamps to buy pet food, paper and cleaning products, alcohol, tobacco or medicines, or hot and prepared foods meant to be eaten immediately. You cannot trade or sell food stamp benefits, or allow someone else to use your EBT card. Your caseworker will outline other rules and restrictions that you must follow to keep your benefits.

Take advantage of food stamp and nutrition education offered by your local social services office. These courses can help you maximize your food stamp benefits. In some states, you are required to take these courses. Food Stamp Challenge.com offers tips for smart-shopping and ideas for ​$1 meals​, including a weekly menu planner. The site also has a YouTube channel.

You can maximize your food stamp benefits by taking advantage of sales, loyalty programs, BOGOs (buy-on-get-one-free), manager's specials, generics, house brands, fuel points and coupon offers, advises Food Stamp Challenge.com. The USDA expects that households receiving food stamp benefits will contribute to the monthly food budget – food stamps are only meant to supplement that budget – so don’t rely entirely on food stamps to meet your grocery needs. Plan your shopping trips to coincide with sales, shop with a list and plan meals in advance to save money.

Do not falsify information on your food stamp application. If you are caught, you could lose your food stamp benefits permanently or face fines and jail time. If your household circumstances change, notify your caseworker immediately. Most state offices conduct regular audits of food stamp benefits and you could face consequences for not reporting a change in your income or household.