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Are you a current college student living and studying in Connecticut and struggle with hunger? Do you feel like you have to make the choice between paying for rent, groceries or other necessities? Watch our video on eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) above and download a flyer of frequently asked questions about the SNAP process. You can download the document here (available in English and Spanish).
When you’re ready, we invite you to take our SNAP Prescreener, a quick way to determine if you are eligible to receive SNAP benefits. Our new feature allows you to set up an appointment over the phone with our EHC! Call Center. However, the callback is not the only option, and you will have other options on how to proceed if you are eligible for SNAP upon completing the prescreener.
Are College Students Eligible for SNAP?
Students attending an institution of higher education, like a college, university, trade school, or technical school more than half-time are eligible for SNAP IF they meet an exemption AND meet all other SNAP eligibility requirements.
Who counts as a student for SNAP purposes?
You are considered a student if you are enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education. If you are enrolled less than half-time, you may be SNAP-eligible if you meet all other SNAP eligibility requirements. The number of hours considered as half-time enrollment is determined by the institution of higher education.
If I receive Social Security, will I be eligible for SNAP?
This will depend on how many people are in your household and what the total household income is. Income is looked at which will include how much you receive from Social Security.
What is considered an institution of higher education?
For SNAP purposes, you are attending an institution of higher education if you are enrolled in:
• A regular curriculum at a college or university degree program; or
• A business, technical, trade, or vocational school that normally requires a high school diploma or equivalent (GED).
What can you buy with SNAP?
Any food for the household, such as:
• Fruits and vegetables;
• Meat, poultry, and fish;
• Dairy products;
• Breads and cereals;
• Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and
• Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat.
Examples of what you CANNOT buy include: Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, supplements, live animals, foods that are hot at the point of sale and any nonfood items (such as cosmetics).
What are the student exemptions for SNAP?
• Are under age 18 or are age 50 or older.
• Have a physical or mental disability.
• Work at least 20 hours a week in paid employment.
• Participate in a state or federally financed work study program.
• Participate in an on-the-job training program.
• Care for a child under the age of 6.
• Care for a child aged 6 to 11 and lack the necessary childcare enabling you to attend school and work 20 hours a week or participate in work study.
• Are a single parent enrolled full-time in college and taking care of a child under 12.
• Receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) assistance.
• Are enrolled in a TANF Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) program.
• Are assigned to, placed in, or self-placed in a college or other institution of higher education through:
• A SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program;
• Certain other E&T programs for low-income households, which are operated by a state or local government and have an equivalent component to SNAP E&T;
• A program under Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) (PL 113-128);
• A Trade Adjustment Assistance Program under Section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974.
For additional information about EHC!’s SNAP Call Center, visit https://www.endhungerct.org/services/snap/.
About us: End Hunger CT! works statewide to eliminate hunger and promote healthy nutrition through outreach, public education, and advocacy. EHC! offers SNAP assistance, nutrition program promotion, doubles SNAP at farmers’ markets, and more to help CT residents in need. To learn more about our services, click here.
Have any questions? Contact our Communications Coordinator, Kimberly Nguyen, at knguyen@endhungerct.org.
