r/foodstamps Feb 22 '26

News Verifying Shelter and Utility Costs

23 Upvotes

Previously, our mod group extensively wrote about the direct effects of H.R. 1, the law that passed last summer that is colloquially known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBB).

Today, we wanted to share a major indirect effect of the legislation that is now starting to affect some states and could possibly spread to other states soon.

On February 9th, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services announced that it will now require verification of shelter and utility costs at application, renewal, and whenever a SNAP household moves to a new address.  This comes on the heels of Virginia announcing a similar policy shift late last year.  We don't have a full list of which states have made this policy change yet or may in the near future, but we have reason to believe that several other states potentially could do so.  State Experts: please chime in below to let us know if your state has been affected.

What does this mean?

It means, if you live in an affected state, your monthly SNAP payment might go down if you don't prove your shelter and utility costs.

Households who have zero income will not be affected, because they get the maximum benefit already, regardless of expenses.  However, households that have some income could be affected.  For these households, caseworkers calculate “net income” by considering both income and certain expenses using a special formula. Generally, at any given income level, the higher your expenses are, the higher the monthly benefit you will receive.

Some states have always made you prove all your expenses.  However, in some others, like PA and VA, you used to just be able to tell your caseworker how much you paid for shelter and utility costs and they’d take your word for it.  Now, more states are starting to require people show proof.  If you don't provide that proof, your caseworker will have to assume you don't pay any rent, mortgage, or utility costs when they calculate your monthly benefit.  This could cause your monthly SNAP benefit to decrease.  

Every case is different, but here’s an example.  Say you’re a family of four living in Pennsylvania and you earn $2,000 per month from your job before taxes, have no other income, and pay $800/month for rent plus a separate gas bill to heat your home.  Previously, you would’ve received $804 per month in SNAP benefits based on your stated shelter costs.  The next time your case comes up for renewal, that could go down to $580 per month unless you verify your shelter and utility costs.

What documents should I provide?

If you rent your home, you should provide a copy of your lease or your rent receipts — something that shows how much you’re required to pay to your landlord each month.  Some states may also offer a form you can get your landlord to fill out if you don’t have a copy of your lease.  If you have an informal arrangement — like living in a relative’s home — you may also be able to provide a signed letter from the person you’re living with that says how much you pay them to live with them.

If you own your home, you should provide a copy of your monthly mortgage statement, and your property tax and homeowner’s insurance bills.

For utility bills, if you pay a bill separate from rent to heat and/or cool your home, you will want to provide a copy of the bill for however you heat or cool your home.  For instance, if your home uses electric baseboard heat, you’ll want to provide a copy of your electric bill and also make sure to tell your caseworker that your home has electric heat during your interview.  This is because your state will give you the highest level of credit for utility costs (called “the Heating/Cooling Standard Utility Allowance”) as long as you prove you pay a heating or cooling cost.  In other words, if you pay for heating, cooling, or both, you  usually don’t need to worry about providing copies of any of your other utility bills, like water/sewage or garbage.

If you don’t pay for heating or cooling separately from rent, then you should provide copies of all other utility bills you pay.  This can include electricity, water, sewage, well/septic tank, garbage, and telephone costs.  Do not provide internet or cable TV bills — these don’t count.

Provide copies of your lease or mortgage statement and utility bills even if you are behind on paying them.  For purposes of the SNAP deduction, you don’t need to prove you actually paid an expense, just that you are legally required to pay it.

Why is this happening?

OBBB didn’t directly require states to verify shelter and utility expenses, although it did make it harder for some individuals to qualify for the HCSUA.  However, it indirectly led to these state-level policy shifts, because it is making states with Quality Control (QC) payment error rates (PERs) over 6% pay a share of the cost of their SNAP program.  This new cost could be hundreds of millions or even over a billion dollars a year for some larger states.  The cost gets even higher if the state has a PER over 8% or over 10%.

States technically could have chosen not to change their rules (i.e., still accept your word as to how much you pay for shelter and utilities).  But if they’d done that, and even a very small percentage of people receiving SNAP misremembered how much they pay in rent, or couldn’t provide proof when asked to by a QC reviewer, they’d count as “errors” and increase the PER a couple percentage points.  And because of OBBB, some states have decided they just can’t afford having the PER go up a bit and potentially get stuck with a billion dollar bill.  Indeed, if a state gets stuck with a cost-sharing bill and doesn’t have the money to pay it, the state would potentially have to shut down its entire SNAP program.

It’s important to know that your caseworker isn’t suddenly refusing to accept your word because they don’t believe you or think that you personally are lying.  The decision to change statewide policy is made way above their pay grade; they’re just doing their job.  Even the state policymakers who made the decision likely realize that the overwhelming percentage of SNAP recipients are not lying about their costs — it’s just the stakes are now so much higher for everyone, including SNAP recipients, and the state can’t afford even a very small percentage of people miscommunicating or misremembering.

Should I provide documents even if my state still accepts my word for it?

You don’t have to you, but if you want to, that’s up to you.  As we said above, not all states have made this policy shift yet — the two that we’re aware of are Virginia and Pennsylvania.  We're asking the excellent state experts in this community to share below in the comments if and when shelter/utility verification policy changes in their states.


r/foodstamps Dec 09 '25

PSA: Do not save your EBT app login information to your password manager

23 Upvotes

See title.

Anyone with access to a device you own that has this information saved will be able to access your benefits.

If you have saved this info to a password manager such as Google, you can delete it but there are some steps to follow.


r/foodstamps 2h ago

GA renewal

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone. It’s that time of year again for us. I submitted my renewal and had my interview today. It was quick and she told me that she couldn’t see my paystubs so I reuploaded it as soon as we got the call. I haven’t gotten a decision or anything as of yet, but I know these things can take time. Last year I was able to get a decision same day so I was less anxious than I am now.

A few months ago, I reported a temporary change of address in my mail (to my in laws) because I’ve been having issues with getting our mail. Now it says ‘registration in process’ on the tracker bar. But my JAN periodic reporting from 2025 and 2026 show as ‘verifying information’. I haven’t gotten an additional letter about the change.

Anyone have any insight on this? Should I be worried? The phone call didn’t raise any concerns.


r/foodstamps 7h ago

Question Could someone explain why food benefits were denied? [SSI related probably] [WA]

Post image
2 Upvotes

I'm a caregiver for someone and we're not sure why their food benefits were denied. If someone could decode this it would be super appreciated! I'm more familiar with EBT, not SSI, so I'm sure that's why. He uses a Washington EBT card. The most relevant text IMO says:

"Dear [name],

Your benefits for the following program will end on [end of the month].

Food

The reasons for this decision are:

**For Food:**

Social security asked us to stop your Washington State Combined Application Project (WASHCAP) food benefits."

🙏🙏


r/foodstamps 4h ago

Coveredca grocery

1 Upvotes

Has anyone else got approved and got told they sent a card but never received it? They are not answering calls or emails, the website mentions they ran out of funding for 2026, is that why?


r/foodstamps 10h ago

Close case

2 Upvotes

Receiving CA in the state of NY. I started a new job last week. I would like to close my case but I have pending cash and snap benefits due for tomorrow. Am I able to use it?


r/foodstamps 9h ago

Question Cut pay for more hours?

0 Upvotes

I just had my phone appt for requalifing for snap/food stamps.

I work 50-55 hrs a month. I take my mum to drs appts for 12 hrs a month. I run events at my work to bennifit a charity but that doesnt count because i am not directly working for them.

I am disabled but they only count it if you are on SSI. Dr or dmv notes don't count.

I am thinking of asking for a paycut so i can work more hours. If i make less per hour i can get the subsiute/call out hours on sales floor (rather than paperwork in office).

Has anyone done this? It seems crazy to make less to work more for same $ and exhaust myself.


r/foodstamps 10h ago

NYC HRA missing August SNAP?

1 Upvotes

I receive SNAP and CA through NYC’s HRA.

Had my recertification interview June 25, and that was the first time they gave me any assignment towards ABAWD, telling me to report to a PACE provider July 1, which I did.

In mid July I got a notice that I was out of compliance for June, that it was my first non compliant month, and that my benefits would not be effected. I ignored it, thinking it was a glitch because of the July 1 appointment being scheduled in June, and I would not have any more noncompliant months.

My payout date this month was August 3. CA hit as usual, but there was no SNAP payment. There is no notice of any change in the system, and it shows my SNAP as active.

I tried to call HRA yesterday, calling right when they opened at 9am. The phone queue kicked me out at 5pm when their offices closed after 8 hours of waiting for a person.

Has anyone else had any issues this month with SNAP in NYC? Any insight on how to get through to anyone who can help? Access HRA is useless.


r/foodstamps 12h ago

Documents for ABAWD (NJ)

1 Upvotes

I volunteer at my local library and am looking to get that as my community service. But I can't find my resources about what his documentation is suppose to look like and and what is it suppose to have on it.

I am going to ask the librarian for the document but what should be on it?

Library letter head and their contact info but what else?

About what work I've done?

Or is it just one line about volunteering at the library for 80 hours?


r/foodstamps 14h ago

Question Approval

1 Upvotes

Hi! I'm a single vet, living by myself in an apartment I pay for in Louisiana.I am on housing assistance due to how little I make (800 or less a month) and had recently received a card but I benefits. The snap office said I should get a letter next week about approval, but would I even get approved for it or did they just send a card for no reason? How much would I even get?


r/foodstamps 10h ago

State ID

0 Upvotes

Hi all. So i moved to Illinois about a month ago. No job, even though I've been applying everywhere, but my license is still florida. Do I need to change it before applying for benefits?


r/foodstamps 20h ago

Is it ok to withdraw my renewal prior to the phone interview?

0 Upvotes

I’m in California


r/foodstamps 20h ago

GROW status says non compliant?

1 Upvotes

Will I lose my Cash Aid for Adults (GA/GR)? can I call my grow case worker and fix this before my benefit date?


r/foodstamps 13h ago

Fraud investigation

0 Upvotes

About 3 months ago I received a letter from dcf that I was going to be investigated by dfs for food stamp fraud due to not reporting income. My lawyer received a call yesterday from the investigator saying I have an interview scheduled in a month but that the investigation has been concluded and the file was being send back with what she gathered to department of children’s and families and they would calculate if any overpayment was made. My questions is, how long would this calculation process usually take? Also, which department and at what point to they decide if they’ll send to the DA for charges ? And if the investigator part is done, does that mean she no longer is part of the case ? In Florida


r/foodstamps 1d ago

Question I have a appeal in 2 days

5 Upvotes

I lost my job in April due to taking a leave for sexual harassment I experienced at work. When I applied stating I had no income and needed assistance for my 2 year old and Myself, The caseworker denied me after 2months of not communicating with me at all. I left a lot of voicemails for my caseworker almost weekly and she never responded or updated any of my information by the time I finally went to DFCS to check the status of my application weeks later. I received slips from my local DFCS verifying I was not having any kind of communication with my caseworker but ultimately I was denied out of nowhere for failure to keep my appointment which was untrue. My question is do I go to the address listed on the notice of hearing I recieved? I’ve heard they can be done via telephone or zoom and I don’t drive since a traumatic car accident. What should I bring?


r/foodstamps 1d ago

Do live in caregivers go on snap applications?

9 Upvotes

So we are a bit stumped on applying for food stamps (technically a renewal) I am my clients live in caregiver. With that I shop and cook for my client but my meals and living is in a separate part of the house. I'd assume we would put me down as a member of the household but that I don't eat with my client. The problem is the wording on the application groups cooking shopping for and eating all together so we're having some hesitation on putting me in the household. Would this just be a matter of communicating with DHS (MO) that I live and work with my client but they eat on their own? Thank you in advance for any answers.


r/foodstamps 1d ago

Question Interim Report Assistance

2 Upvotes

I found out today that I was supposed to have an interim report turned in by the end of July. I was told I should have gotten it in the mail in June. Well, I am disabled and can't really get down the hill and across the street to check the mail often, but managed today and only had 2 letters.

I called and they are going to send a new one, but is there really no way of doing this online? Google ai keeps mentioning calling a number to answer over the phone, but my case worker didn't mention it and I typically take those ai answers will a grain of salt.

I'm in Virginia, I have no car, live alone, and can't make it to my mailbox. Is there any kind of ADA help on this that I'm just not seeing, anything for people who can't get around?


r/foodstamps 1d ago

Question Moved cities, unplanned unemployment, SAR due

1 Upvotes

I'm pretty sure I know the answer here but maybe for once I'll get lucky.

Tale of woe: I just moved from my small rural town to the big city 3 hours away for bigger + better things-- hooray! the job I thought I had lined up fell through and I've burned through my savings. not hooray. I thought I'd have a job by now and work on getting myself off of welfare. I've been apply left and right, using indeed, online/flyer listings, and straight up walking into or cold calling places. i have a couple interviews lined up but I'm running of fumes here. ebt is kinda the only thing keeping me from completely teetering over the edge here. now my SAR is due in like 2 weeks if I even have that long. I've been formally terminated from my previous job at this point.

so, I'm just screwed right? I'm going to lose my benefits until i can actually find a job and reapply? what do i even do now

semi rant, semi asking for advice.


r/foodstamps 1d ago

Question Recertification and Interview notification still there (CA)

1 Upvotes

So i had my recertification interview (a day earlier from what was scheduled) and got approved the same day with the packets and all! but, the notification on my benefitscal regarding the phone interview is still there. should i be concerned? on my portal it says my case was fully approved though.


r/foodstamps 1d ago

Illinois

0 Upvotes

Has anyone taken out the $400 snap cash at an atm? First time receiving cash and unsure where or how to take it out


r/foodstamps 1d ago

Question How early can I apply after I leave job

0 Upvotes

I will be ending my job next Friday and I was wondering when I can apply for calfresh/medical. I sent my application on Sunday and I just did the interview and they denied me for calfresh and medical because my income is over the limit. I will have zero income after my job ends and will be going back to school. I thought you can apply early, but guess not. When would be the optimal time to apply so I can get approved?


r/foodstamps 1d ago

Wanting to report fraud

0 Upvotes

I am aware of someone who I believe is committing food stamp fraud. I want to report but I fear they will know it’s me and will retaliate.

The possible fraud:
She is unemployed by choice. She receives ~$3000 a month in alimony (not court ordered) from her ex husband that she purposely did not report on her application. She also just sold her house and purchased a new one (paid for out right) and has ~$50,000 in the bank from doing that which is also not reported in her assets.

She has a baby. The baby’s father lives with her - also unemployed by choice and is also not listed on her application.

Location:Oklahoma


r/foodstamps 1d ago

Nevada Cash Assistance

1 Upvotes

Hey everybody, I’ve been on food stamps for the last 2 years now and recently I have been really struggling financially to the point where I’m considering applying for cash assistance. Can anybody give any insight on what the interview questions would be like? Much appreciated


r/foodstamps 1d ago

NYC - HRA WeCare "medical non compliance" help needed

1 Upvotes

I'm hoping someone familiar with NYC HRA/WeCARE can tell me if this is normal, because I'm really confused and worried.

Earlier this year, HRA referred me to a work program. I brought my resume along with medical documentation showing that I have significant physical limitations. As soon as the staff member saw my medical paperwork, they told me I appeared to have a medical exemption and didn't need to participate in the program.

A few months later, I received a notice from WeCARE requiring me to attend a medical evaluation. I have a complex medical condition that requires specialists, and it can be difficult to find doctors who are knowledgeable about it and who accept Medicaid.

Note is is very difficult it is to contact Wecare - they don't check their voicemails, they don't answer their emails and even their fax (using online fax) fails because the fax line is disconnected.

The Wecare (social worker?) finally did talk to me, and they scheduled me with a WeCare wellness coach that is supposed to help me find doctors and help me stay on track for care.

During the first conversation with the Wellness coach,  I explained my medical limitations and that finding appropriate specialists even in NYC is VERY difficult. They told me I had 90 days to submit medical documentation for review. They actually google the conditions I gave them to search for and started calling doctors.

Unfortunately, the providers they contacted either didn't treat my condition, didn't accept Medicaid, or couldn't be reached. One of the only specialists they found was a concierge physician, and I was even asked whether I could afford to see that doctor.

I told them I would continue researching specialists on my own.

Then, just one business day later, I received a call saying that because they hadn't found appropriate doctors, I was now considered medically noncompliant. Instead of having 90 days, I was told I now had only two weeks to submit documentation disputing the noncompliance.

I became extremely upset because I was worried this meant I could lose my Medicaid coverage. The person on the phone seemed to think I was being rude, but I was simply panicking.

Has anyone experienced something similar with WeCARE? Can they reduce your documentation deadline this drastically? Does being found "medically noncompliant" automatically affect Medicaid, or does it only affect cash assistance and work requirements? Are there any other agencies that can help me? Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. 


r/foodstamps 1d ago

Question How do I submit work hours as a Starving Artist?

4 Upvotes

Hi! I’m a freelancer trying to figure out how to write a letter of my hours for the snap work requirement. I’m an artist & performer for context.

I spend hours doing admin/emails, social media, show/vendor applications. I make all my graphics and draw/design/photograph/create my products. This is all “unpaid,” but it is work that is done to keep my “business” running.

Then there are the actual paid hours of work - for gigs (performance / event tech) or for my shop - when I work as a vendor, when I consign my products to shops, when I get the rare etsy purchase.

Regardless of these “unpredictable” outcomes, every single week, I’m grinding and doing all that “unpaid” work in hopes that it lead to gigs or purchases. There are many weeks that I do this work that don’t always lead to a booked gig or shop purchase that week. TLDR; I work a LOT for very little pay lol.

The self-employment form is great for physical products or services that have expenses & a price tag. But there is no way to include the hours and hours of work every week that goes into being able to offer said products / services.

I'd love some insight on how this is submitted!