The good thing about your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) money is the fact that there is no need to spend it all in the month you receive it. Food Stamps are for families that have a low income, so it is of vital importance that they do not lose any cash they receive.
Despite the fact that many SNAP beneficiaries believe that they must spend all the money every month, it is not like that. It is true that others may fear having them stolen, so they prefer to spend it as soon as they cash it.
Once you receive the money on your Electronic Benefits Transfer card or EBT card, you can start buying SNAP-eligible items. That does not mean you have to make use of all the money you qualify for. It is true that SNAP benefits will not last forever, but you can spend it wisely.
What happens to my SNAP benefits at the end of the month?
The United States Department of Agriculture claims that any unused SNAP money on your EBT at the end of the month will be carried over into the following month. In this way, you can have even more money for the next month.
Remember that not all states use the same EBT card and they may have a different name. For example, if you live in Texas, you will have a Lone Star Card instead. But you can still save some money for the next month.
Another state that has a different name for SNAP is California. They call it CalFresh Food Assistance. Their EBT card is the Golden State Advantage EBT card. But you can use it in the same way.
When are SNAP benefits removed from my account?
If you do not use your Food Stamps at all for 9 months, they will be automatically and permanently removed from your Food Stamps account. Do not worry because they will not remove all the money, only the money that expired.
So, they will start removing SNAP benefits that have not been used on a month-to-month basis. Therefore, it will depend on the date when you collected your Food Stamps.
Do not forget that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program does not last forever. From time to time, you will have to renew your benefits. By doing so, the SNAP agency can check if you are still eligible.
What is more, if you are an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents, you will have to meet additional work requirements. If you do not meet them, you will only cash Food Stamps for three months in three years. This is particularly important if you are 18-52 and have no kids.