SNAP (Food Stamps) Phone Number & Contact Information
Alexandria, VA · www.fns.usda.gov/snap
SNAP (Food Stamps) Phone Number
| Phone | (866) 348-6479 |
| Hours | Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM ET |
| Website | www.fns.usda.gov/snap |
USA Customer Care is an independent directory. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by SNAP (Food Stamps). Official website: www.fns.usda.gov/snap. The numbers below are verified against official sources — always confirm on the official site.
About SNAP (Food Stamps)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — still widely called food stamps — helps people with limited income buy groceries. Benefits are loaded each month onto an EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card you swipe like a debit card at approved stores. SNAP is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), but like Medicaid it is run by each state, so you apply and manage your case through your state SNAP or human-services agency, not a single national office.
That means there is no one national "SNAP phone number" to apply. The best national starting point is the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-348-6479 (English) or 1-877-842-6273 (Spanish), which helps you find food resources and points you toward SNAP in your state. To apply, check status, or ask about your case, you contact your state agency, listed at fns.usda.gov.
For EBT card problems — a lost card, a forgotten PIN, or checking your balance — call the customer-service number printed on the back of your EBT card, which is specific to your state and runs 24/7. Most people reach out to SNAP to apply, to check their balance, to report a lost card, or to complete a renewal (recertification) so their benefits do not stop. Applying is free, and you can start online in most states.
USDA National Hunger Hotline
đ Official source: fns.usda.gov â · ✓ Verified 2026-08-07
Common USDA National Hunger Hotline issues & fixes
A national line that connects you to food resources — food banks, meal sites, and social services — and points you to SNAP in your state. It does not process SNAP applications; your state agency does that. For a lost EBT card or your balance, use the number on the back of your card instead.
National Hunger Hotline (Spanish)
đ Official source: fns.usda.gov â · ✓ Verified 2026-08-07
Common National Hunger Hotline (Spanish) issues & fixes
The Spanish-language National Hunger Hotline (1-877-8-HAMBRE). Same service as the main line: it helps Spanish-speaking callers find food resources and SNAP in their state.
Step-by-Step Guides
SNAP (Food Stamps) — Frequently Asked Questions
SNAP is run by each state, so there is no single national application number. To apply or ask about your case, contact your state SNAP agency (listed at fns.usda.gov). The USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-348-6479 (or 1-877-842-6273 in Spanish) can help you find food resources and SNAP in your state.
Call the customer-service number on the back of your EBT card, check your last store receipt, or sign in to your state's EBT website or app. The card-back number is specific to your state and is available 24/7.
Apply through your state SNAP agency — most states let you apply online, and you can also apply by phone, mail, or in person. Find your state's application at fns.usda.gov. Applying is free.
SNAP covers most groceries — fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, and other foods, plus seeds and plants that produce food. It does not cover alcohol, tobacco, hot prepared foods, vitamins, or non-food household items.
Call the number on the back of your card (or your state's EBT customer service) right away to freeze it and request a replacement. Report it quickly to protect your benefits from theft.
States require periodic recertification (often every 6 or 12 months). Watch for renewal notices from your state agency, keep your address current, and respond on time so your benefits do not stop.
Eligibility is based mainly on household size and income, with some work requirements. Limits vary by state. Use your state agency's pre-screening tool or apply to find out if you qualify.
No. SNAP helps most households buy general groceries; WIC is a separate program for pregnant women, new mothers, and young children with specific nutrition needs. You can receive both if eligible.
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