SNAP Benefits

SNAP Monthly Issuance Schedule
First Letter of Last Name	Date
A or B	1st of month
C	2nd of month
D, E, or F	3rd of month
G or H	4th of month
I, J, or K	5th of month
L or M	6th of month
N, O, P, or Q	7th of month
R or S	8th of month
T, U, or V	9th of month
W, X, Y, or Z	10th of month

 

Using SNAP Benefits

What can I purchase with SNAP?

SNAP benefits can be used to purchase the following:

• Fruits and vegetables;
• Meat, poultry, and fish;
• Dairy products;
• Bread and cereals;
• Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and
• Seeds and plants, produce food for the household to eat.

Households CAN NOT use SNAP benefits to buy:

• Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements. If an item has a Supplement Facts label, it is considered a supplement and is not eligible for SNAP purchase.
• Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from the water, and animals slaughtered prior to pick-up from the store).
• Prepared Foods fit for immediate consumption
• Hot foods
• Any nonfood items such as:
  • Pet foods 
  • Cleaning supplies, paper products, and other household supplies.
  • Hygiene items, cosmetics

Where can I use SNAP?

SNAP is accepted at most stores that sell grocery items. You can use the SNAP Retail Locator to find a store near you that accepts SNAP benefits.  Just enter your address.

In addition to in-person stores, you can use SNAP to purchase eligible food items online for delivery to your residence from the following locations.

• Amazon
• Aldi via Instacart
• Giant
• Safeway (varies by location)

SNAP benefits cannot be used to pay for fees or delivery charges.

Some retailers in the District, such as Safeway, also allow SNAP households to reserve food items online for you to pick up and pay using your EBT card in person. As store policy changes, check with your local store.  Currently,

• Safeway in Piney Branch located at 6500 Piney Branch Road, NW, provides an option for customers to place an online order for groceries for pickup. During pickup, you must have your EBT card available to process payment.
  • Additional information about the SNAP EBT Program at Safeway is available here

Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card

For more information about Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards, click here.

SNAP Benefit Replacement

If you lost food purchased with SNAP benefits due to a household misfortune, you may request a replacement of those SNAP benefits.  You must report the loss of food purchased with SNAP benefits within 10 days of the loss of food and provide a written attestation.  

Household misfortunes include severe storms, flooding, fire, power-outage lasting at least 4 hours, or refrigerator/freezer equipment failure.

You can submit the form DHS-1696 – Replacement of SNAP Benefits to report the loss and complete the required written attestation.

• DHS-1696 – Replacement of SNAP Benefits (English)
• DHS-1696 – Replacement of SNAP Benefits (Spanish)
• DHS-1696 – Replacement of SNAP Benefits (Amharic)
• DHS-1696 - Replacement of SNAP Benefits (Chinese)
• DHS 1696 - Replacement of SNAP Benefits (French)