Are There Other Programs I May Be Eligible for If I Don’t Qualify for SNAP?

There are a number of food distribution programs that are not associated with SNAP eligibility, so you may be eligible for one or more of them depending on their individual eligibility requirements. These programs are a combination of programs funded by the federal and state governments. Eligibility for these programs may be based on your age, income, or other factors.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). This program provides commodity foods to low-income elderly individuals. It is specifically designed for individuals over the age of 60 with an income at or below 130% of the FPL. The income eligibility guidelines are also based on household size. Here are the limits for a single person or elderly married couple.

Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). This program provides commodity foods to low-income families and elderly living on tribal reservations or in designated areas around reservations.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). This program provides commodity foods to food banks. The individual food banks then distribute the food to local soup kitchens and directly to the public. The food banks are given authority to determine where the food goes based on the needs in their respective areas. Individuals can contact local food banks to receive food.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). This program provides vouchers to purchase specific foods for pregnant women, infants, and children under the age of 5 that are at nutritional risk. To be eligible for this program, individuals must be within one of the three demographic categories covered, as well as within the income eligibility limits, and demonstrate a nutritional risk.

Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). Although this program is separate from WIC, it is available for those already approved for WIC benefits. The FMNP provides fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This program provides food for low-income children in daycare centers, low-income adults in non-residential day care centers, children living in homeless shelters, and kids that are involved in after-school programs.

There are also a number of nutritional programs that are run through the schools or school programs to provide low-income children with nutritional food and drink throughout the day. These programs include:

National School Lunch Program (NSLP) – ensures low-income children receive free or reduced priced lunches while in school.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) – This program provide low-income schools with fresh fruits and vegetables for the students.

School Breakfast Program (SBP) – This program provides free or reduced lunches to low-income students before the school day starts.

Special Milk Program (SMP) – This program supplements the cost of milk to schools, so low-income children can be provided with milk each day.

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) – This program is funded at the federal and state level and run at the local level. This program provides lunches throughout the summer for children that were eligible for free or reduced lunches during the school year.

You may be eligible for one or more of these programs. The children’s nutritional programs are actually linked, so that if your child qualifies for one, the child is more than likely eligible for more than one. Those programs also vary by school district.