How to Apply for SNAP in West Virginia
This information is current as of July 6, 2022.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is not too difficult to apply for, however, different states have different sites or methods for submitting your application. If you want to know if you are eligible for SNAP benefits in West Virginia, you can get the process started online.
To apply for SNAP benefits in West Virginia, you can:
- Complete the application and mail it to your local office
- Apply online
- Apply by phone, however, you must call the state hotline at 1-800-642-8589 to determine whether you’re eligible to apply over the phone
The online application form for SNAP benefits in West Virginia can be found here. You can print out the form. Once you fill it out, you will have to either deliver it to your local office or mail it in.
How to Apply for SNAP in West Virginia
Applying for SNAP is relatively simple in West Virginia, so long as you meet the eligibility requirements. If you are elderly or disabled, some of those eligibility requirements may be waived, depending on several circumstances.
Eligibility Requirements
There are four categories of eligibility requirements, including:
- Income Eligibility
- Resource-Based Eligibility
- Employment Eligibility
- Residential Eligibility
Income Eligibility
Income eligibility requirements depend on:
- Whether you’re single
- Number of family members in your household
- The amount of income those family members bring to the household
- You and your family members’ gross income
Why it’s measured on gross is anyone’s guess. However, almost everything is calculated based on gross income, as if we bring home all that gross income. Fortunately, SNAP benefits do take other factors into consideration.
Suppose you want to determine your income eligibility. In that case, you can visit the West Virginia Family Services portal and review the information here.
Resource-Based Eligibility
Regarding the resources portion, you must have a minimum of $2,000 countable asset value. The value is maxed out at $3,250 for the elderly and the disabled.
Employment Eligibility
Employment eligibility means that you must be between the age of 16 and 60, willing to work, actively seeking employment, and participating in an employment training program.
Residential Eligibility
Finally, is the residential eligibility requirement. You must be a West Virginia resident and have resided there for a minimum of five years.
Application Form
There is not much to the application form. You can visit this link to print and fill it out. It’s a straightforward form, and you must complete several pieces of personal and financial information.
- Name, birthdate, address, and zip code
- Social Security Number
- Your current phone number
- Household members and their personal information
- Race (optional)
- Signature
On the application form, you’ll see a section titled “Expedited Services.” If you make less than $150 per month and all your bank accounts contain a maximum of $100. In that case, you are eligible for expedited services, which means they’ll process your form and help you get SNAP benefits in fewer than seven days.
For the expedited section, you’ll need to:
- Fill out the amount of money that all members of your household bring home per month
- Indicate expected income per month
- Include your current rent total amount
- Indicate whether a member of your household is a migrant
- Include whether anyone in your household receives SNAP benefits
You’ll need to sign and date the Expedited Section and move on to the rest of the application form which is a questionnaire.
- Household Declaration Inquiry
- Resources/Assets
- Earned Income
- Other Income and Benefits
- Child Support Information
- Medical Expenses
- Shelter and Utility Costs
The remainder of the form is for information purposes only, along with a basic terms and conditions section that you need to read and understand before you sign and date the bottom of the form.
Applying Online
To apply online, go to the West Virginia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Portal and select the “Menu” tab in the upper right-hand corner of the page. Select “Create Account” at the bottom of the list.
Create your account by providing them with a username and password. You will also have to fill out some other relevant, personal information, along with your email address. Once you have created and confirmed your account via your email address, you can start the application process.
On the Home Page, you will see a large, oval, green tab that says “Apply Online.” Select this tab to begin the application process. The online application form is almost a carbon copy of the application form walkthrough listed above.
All the same relevant information appears here. You will have to answer the questionnaire, read through the terms and conditions, and electronically sign the form when you are done.
The online form is considerably quicker to fill out and receive an answer. At the same time, the physical application will often take much longer. Once you are done filling out all of the pertinent information, submit the form and standby. You may have to wait a few business days before your form is processed and you get a response.
Applying by Phone
West Virginia’s SNAP benefits can be applied over the phone. However, you have to be approved for an over-the-phone application. By calling the 1-800-642-8589 number, a state worker will make the determination.
Those eligible to apply over the phone usually meet the requirements if they have a physical disability that prevents them from being able to read or write the necessary forms, whether online or offline.
Those approved for an over-the-phone application are transferred to someone who walks them through the application questions and takes down their verbal responses for each one.
West Virginia SNAP Application Interview
Everyone who applies for SNAP benefits in West Virginia will also have to participate in an interview process. This occurs after everything else has been processed, and you are eligible to move forward with the interview process.
If you are eligible for and accepted with the Expedited Program, the interview process will happen within 7 business days. The interview is just a rehash of everything you have already filled out.
You will be asked about your US citizenship status and your residency in West Virginia. The interviewer will also review your household earnings information, including your family members or other residents within your home.
Finally, the interviewer will go over your expenses and resources. Any kind of bills that you have to pay and debts, whether they are new or longstanding, will be covered as well.
All Things Considered
There are multiple pathways to eligibility for SNAP benefits in West Virginia, whether you wish to apply online, fill out a physical application form, or determine your eligibility for a phone call application.
Just be sure to have all your identification, financial, and personal documents on hand, so you never run into hiccups throughout the process.
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