Solutions Blog

Unemployed due to COVID? SNAP can help!

An empty grocery shopping cart sits in the salad dressing aisle at the grocery store.

During these difficult times, a lot of hard-working Minnesotans find themselves out of work through no fault of their own. That makes it hard to pay all of the bills and put food on the table.

The SNAP program can help individuals and families buy groceries through this crisis. SNAP helps you buy the food you need for nutritious meals. It used to be called food stamps.

Who can get SNAP?

You may be eligible for SNAP if your monthly income is less than a set amount based on your household size. Most forms of income count. Income from a job, social security, child support payments, and unemployment benefits all count in your monthly income.

Household Size Gross Monthly Income
1 $1,771
2 $2,396
3 $3,020
4 $3,644
5 $4,268
6 $4,893
7 $5,517
8 $6,141

How does it work?

SNAP benefits come on an electronic benefits transfer card (EBT card). The EBT card works just like a debit card. It lets you buy food from most grocery stores and even some farmers markets. You cannot use an EBT card to buy non-food items or hot ready-to-eat food. Alcohol, tobacco, pet food, or medications are not allowed. Your income, expenses, and the number of people in your household determines your monthly benefit amount.

What if I’m unemployed because of COVID-19?

If you lost your job because of the COVID-19 pandemic, you should be eligible for SNAP if you meet the eligibility criteria. If you are receiving unemployment benefits, that income counts toward the income eligibility limit. Since unemployment benefits are about half of what you normally earned, many Minnesotans would normally find themselves under the income limit for SNAP while they are unemployed.

The additional weekly $600 in unemployment payments from the federal CARES Act counts as income. Households receiving this benefit are only eligible for SNAP if their total income is less than the income limit listed above.

If you have questions about what counts as income, contact the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 888-711-1151.

SNAP misconceptions

We get a lot of questions about SNAP on the Minnesota Food HelpLine. Here are some of the most common misconceptions we hear:

I have too much in my savings account to qualify.

Only your monthly income determines eligibility. Any assets (like money in a savings or retirement account or the value of your home if you own it) do not count against you when applying for SNAP.

I am not working right now, so I don’t qualify.

Under normal circumstances, everyone is able to get at least 3 months of SNAP benefits if they meet the income guidelines. Due to COVID-19, Minnesota has lifted that time limit for everyone. People who have kids or are seniors or disabled do not have to work to qualify for SNAP.

I am not a U.S. citizen, so I don’t qualify.

Many non-citizens can qualify for SNAP. You may qualify if you have a green card, or if you are a refugee, asylee or trafficking victim. Non-citizen parents can also apply on behalf of their U.S. citizen children.

I’m homeless and do not have a mailing address, so I can’t get SNAP.

Even without a permanent address, you can still qualify for SNAP. You can use the address of an authorized representative or set up general delivery at a local post office.

If I get SNAP, that means other people who need it more might not get SNAP.


SNAP is an entitlement program, which means that if you qualify, you are entitled to the benefit. You will not be taking away benefits from someone else if you get it. Because it is an entitlement program, SNAP is really responsive when a crisis like a recession or pandemic happen and more people need help.


Every person’s situation is different. The Minnesota Food HelpLine is here to help you figure out if you qualify for SNAP. Call the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 1-888-711-1151.

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