USDA, Social Security Administration: You Can Now Apply For SNAP And SSI At The Same Time!

On December 7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Social Security Administration have announced that applicants can now apply for SNAP and SSI at the same time. The purpose of this partnership is to better assist the recipients with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, says USDA.

SNAP and SSI Recipients [Photo: GOBankingRates]

How Does This Partnership Work?

The SSA will now inform SSI applicants and recipients of their qualifications for SNAP. This means that when applying for or receiving SSI, SSA will also help them apply for SNAP. Whatever time and resources were allocated to SNAP screenings and applications, the USDA will reimburse the SSA. This collaboration will also try out alternatives to paper-based applications. The use of electronic applications and telephonic signatures will be developed to make it easier for SSI recipients to complete SNAP applications.

According to Stacy Dean, deputy undersecretary for USDA, by doing this partnership, applicants no longer have to provide the same paperwork to different offices. This also lessens the responsibility of state and local administrators, as reported by Cariaga.