If you are having difficulty feeding your family, you can apply for food stamps in Minnesota. Known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides funds for individuals or families that meet the program’s eligibility requirements so they can purchase food. In the state of Minnesota, the Department of Human Services (DHS) administers the state-level regulations and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) enforces federal regulations for food stamps.

You can complete the application in a few ways. Once you are ready for submission, the process continues with an interview and verification period. Because of this, there are many details that must be reviewed. When you are receiving benefits, you will also have to recertify. If you want to find out the details to apply for SNAP, continue reading the sections below.

What do you need to apply for food stamps in Minnesota?

When you fill out the food stamp application form, you will have to provide personal and financial information for each member of the household. For instance, you will have to provide your name, address and phone number on your application. As for financial information, you will have to provide your income, number of assets and other types of financial information needed to verify your eligibility.

Also, when you sign up for food stamps in MN, you must make sure that the household members you include are members that purchase and prepare meals in the household. Other details that will be needed for the application are:

• Income information from all qualifying household members.
• A list of assets and their value.
• Acceptable proof of citizenship or immigration status.
• Physical status of every household member.

Qualifying household members who are 18 years of age or older must provide information regarding their income and employment. There must also be information on the expenses of the household and bank information.

Applying for Minnesota Food Stamps Online

There are three ways to fill out a SNAP benefits application in Minnesota; by mail, in person at the local agency or online. If you are applying for food stamps online, you are using the most efficient method. The DHS has a website dedicated to the application process.

In order to apply for food stamps online, you must first create an account on the website. The website will prompt you to provide your contact information, and security information and then ask you to confirm the information you just provided. Then you can continue to follow the instructions on the prompts. Once you have reached the end, you can submit your application.

To learn more about the required documents and materials, download our free guide today.

Submitting a Minnesota Food Stamp Application by Mail

When you are looking to send your Minnesota SNAP benefits application via mail, you must first locate the DHS agency in your county. You will need the address in order to send the application to them. Once you have done this, you can visit the agency to obtain a physical copy of the application. You may also request a copy of the application by mail or download the application from the Minnesota DHS website.

If you want to download the application, you must download the Combined Application Form, which is a form for families and individuals who are younger than 60 years of age. If you are a couple older than 60 years of age, you must apply for SNAP benefits with the Senior SNAP Application.

One important detail to remember is that these two applications are available in Hmong, Russian, Somali, Vietnamese and Spanish.

Applying for SNAP In-Person in Minnesota

You may also apply for food stamps by visiting your local DHS office. These offices will have the forms available and you may complete them while you wait to speak with a representative. To save time, you can download the application from the Minnesota DHS website and arrive with the application completed.

When you complete your MN food stamps application at the DHS office, you can go through all of the steps needed to complete the application process. For instance, the DHS office representative can interview you the same day. This is only possible if you bring all of the necessary documentation with you on the day of completing the application.

Learn more about the application process with the help of our free guide.

Checking Your SNAP Application Status in Minnesota

There are a few ways in which you can check your MN food stamp application status. One way to check your status is by calling your local DHS office where your form was filed and requesting a status update. If you completed your application online, you may log into your account to check on your application status.

It is also a possibility that you will not have to check the status of a SNAP application, simply because of how quickly it will be processed. The fastest time you can receive a response of approval or denial is a month. If you have been determined to receive emergency assistance, then the DHS will process your SNAP request much faster.

Minnesota Food Stamps Interview Process

When your application has been approved, you can move forward with the food stamp interview part of the application process. It is possible to complete the interview over the phone or in person at the DHS office. The purpose of this interview is to verify the information you have put on your application.

While the interview takes place, the case worker will ask you to verify specific details on your application. They may ask you to provide any missing information that you have omitted with the application form or any evidence that you must provide. To expedite the interview, having the documents you will need to verify the information will be beneficial.

About SNAP Recertification in Minnesota

It is important to note that you will only be receiving SNAP benefits for a limited amount of time. This means that at some point in time if you wish to continue receiving benefits, you will have to recertify. In the state of Minnesota, this occurs annually and you must fill out the SNAP recertification form. Depending on the situation and any changes that have occurred over the year, you may have to complete other forms.

For example, certain people may have to complete a Combined Six-Month Report form alongside their annual recertification to keep receiving benefits. Others may have to complete a monthly Household report form. It is important to be honest about any changes that have occurred or you will not qualify for benefits any longer.

About Appealing a Food Stamps Denial in Minnesota

If your application has been denied, you can appeal food stamps decisions in Minnesota. There may be several reasons why your benefits were denied. For example, there may have been information missing on your application.

It is also possible to appeal for a different benefit amount. When you appeal, you have the right to a fair hearing and must provide evidence that supports your argument. If you wish, you can have a lawyer present at the hearing.

Last Updated: February 27, 2023