What Happens When Your Food Stamp Case Is Closed? A Step‑by‑Step Guide And How To Get Help

When a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) case is closed, the household will stop receiving monthly benefits on their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. The state agency is required to send a letter, often called a Notice of Adverse Action, that explains why the case was closed and the date the closure becomes effective. It is important to understand that any benefits already loaded onto the EBT card before the closure date remain available for the household to use. A case closure is not necessarily a final or permanent decision. A household has the right to understand the reason for the closure, take steps to fix any errors, appeal the decision if it seems wrong, or reapply for benefits at any time.

Receiving a notice that food assistance will be ending can be a source of significant stress and confusion. This guide is designed to provide a clear, step-by-step explanation of the entire process. It will cover why cases are closed, how to understand the official notice, what immediate actions can be taken, and how to navigate the systems for appeal or reapplication. Many case closures are the result of simple procedural issues or misunderstandings, not a change in a household’s eligibility, and these situations can often be resolved quickly with the right information and action.

Why Was My SNAP Case Closed? Understanding the Common Reasons

The first and most critical step after learning a SNAP case is closed is to understand the specific reason for the closure. This information determines the best course of action. Case closures generally fall into two broad categories: procedural reasons, which relate to paperwork and deadlines, and eligibility reasons, which relate to changes in a household’s circumstances.

The #1 Reason: Procedural Issues (The Paperwork Puzzle)

It is a common misconception that most SNAP cases close because a household’s income becomes too high. In reality, the vast majority of closures are due to procedural issues. For example, an analysis of SNAP closures in Louisiana for one month showed that a remarkable 89.26% were for “Procedural Reasons”. This indicates that breakdowns in the paperwork and communication process are the primary driver of case closures. This happens so frequently because the system relies on mailed forms, strict deadlines, and caseworker action, all of which can be prone to error or delay. High caseloads can sometimes prevent a caseworker from processing a renewal in time, leading to an automatic system closure. Understanding that a procedural issue is the most likely cause can help a household focus on fixing the problem rather than worrying about being permanently ineligible.

Common procedural reasons for closure include:

Failure to Complete Recertification or a Semi-Annual Report (SAR): To keep benefits active, households must periodically prove they are still eligible. The state agency mails a recertification or renewal packet every 6, 12, or sometimes 24 months. If this form is not completed and returned by the deadline, the system is designed to automatically close the case. This is one of the most frequent reasons for a case to be closed.
Failure to Provide Requested Information: During the certification period, the agency may send a letter requesting specific documents, such as recent pay stubs to verify income or a copy of a new lease to verify housing costs. These requests come with a deadline. If the household does not provide the requested documents in time, the case can be closed, sometimes “without further notice”.
Missing an Interview: An eligibility interview is a required step for most new applications and recertifications. The agency will schedule this interview, which is often conducted by phone. If a household member misses this appointment and does not contact the agency to reschedule, the application can be denied or an active case can be closed.
Agency Error or Delay: Sometimes, the household does everything right, but a mistake happens on the agency’s end. A caseworker may not have enough time to process the paperwork before the system’s automatic cutoff date, or a computer glitch may close a case in error. In these instances, caseworkers can typically reactivate the case and fix the mistake once it is brought to their attention.

Eligibility Reasons (Changes in Your Life)

The second category of closures relates to changes in a household’s situation that make them no longer eligible for SNAP under the program’s rules.

Change in Income: The most straightforward eligibility reason for closure is an increase in the household’s income. Each household size has a corresponding gross monthly income limit (the total income before any taxes or deductions are taken out). If a household’s income rises above this limit, the case will be closed. Households are required to report income changes to their SNAP agency, typically when the change is more than $125 per month.
Change in Household Members: The number of people living and eating together affects the household’s income limits and benefit amount. If someone moves out of the home, or a new person with their own income moves in, it can change the household’s eligibility.
Not Meeting Work Requirements: SNAP has strict work rules that can be a source of confusion and lead to case closure.
- General Work Rules: Most adults between the ages of 16 and 59 are required to register for work, not voluntarily quit a job or reduce their hours without a good reason, and accept a suitable job if one is offered.
- Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs): These rules are a frequent and often hidden cause of case closures. An ABAWD is an adult between the ages of 18 and 54 (this age range is gradually increasing) who is not disabled and does not have a child under 18 in their home. Under federal law, ABAWDs can only receive SNAP benefits for three months within a three-year period, unless they are working or participating in a qualifying work or training program for at least 80 hours per month. When this three-month time limit is reached, the case is closed. These rules are complex and have several exemptions (for example, for veterans, individuals experiencing homelessness, or former foster youth), making it easy for a recipient to be unaware that they are about to lose benefits.
Other Eligibility-Related Reasons:
- Voluntary Request: A household can choose to stop receiving benefits at any time by contacting their local SNAP office and requesting that their case be closed.
- Sanctions: If the agency determines that a household member has intentionally broken a program rule, this is called an Intentional Program Violation (IPV). This can result in the individual being disqualified from the program for a set period (one year for a first violation, two years for a second, and permanently for a third), which may lead to the household’s case being closed.
- Failure to Cooperate with Quality Control: Federal and state agencies periodically review a random sample of SNAP cases to ensure they are being handled correctly. This is called a quality control (QC) review. If a household is selected for a QC review and does not cooperate with the reviewer, their case can be closed.

The Closure Notice: How to Read the Most Important Letter

When a state agency takes action to reduce or terminate SNAP benefits, it must send the household a written notice. This letter is a crucial legal document, often called a “Notice of Adverse Action”. This notice is not just a piece of mail to be set aside; it contains vital information about the household’s rights and starts a legal clock on important deadlines. Reading and understanding this letter is the first step toward resolving the issue.

A legally “adequate” notice must be written in easily understandable language and must contain several key pieces of information. When reviewing the notice, a recipient should look for the following components:

The Proposed Action: The letter will state clearly what the agency is doing—for example, that SNAP benefits will be terminated or the case will be closed.
The Reason for the Action: This is the most critical part of the notice. The agency must explain why it is closing the case. The reason should be specific. For instance, instead of just saying “failed to comply,” a proper notice for missing documents should list the specific documents that were not received. If the reason is unclear or seems incorrect, this can be grounds for an appeal.
The Effective Date: The notice will include the exact date that the benefits will stop. This date is extremely important because it determines the deadline for requesting an appeal while keeping benefits active.
Your Right to a Fair Hearing: The notice is legally required to inform the household of their right to appeal the decision by requesting a Fair Hearing. It should provide instructions on how to file an appeal, including a phone number to call or a form to fill out.
Important Deadlines: The letter will specify the deadline for requesting an appeal, which is typically 90 days from the date of the notice for SNAP cases. It should also explain the much shorter deadline for requesting an appeal to continue receiving benefits while awaiting the hearing decision. This period is usually 10 days from the date the notice was mailed. The mailing date of the notice is what triggers these legal time limits, so acting quickly is essential. Inaction can lead to the loss of important rights, including the ability to keep benefits flowing during the appeal process.

What to Do Right Away: Your First Three Steps

After receiving and reading a closure notice, it is normal to feel overwhelmed. However, taking a few immediate, focused steps can make a significant difference. Instead of panicking, a household should take the following three actions.

Step 1: Check Your EBT Card Balance

It is a common fear that when a SNAP case closes, any money left on the EBT card will disappear. This is not true. Any benefits that were loaded onto the EBT card before the case closure date are still the property of the household and can be used to purchase eligible food items. These benefits roll over from one month to the next. The only time benefits are removed from a card is if the account has been completely inactive for a very long period, such as 274 consecutive days in New York City. Therefore, the first step is to confirm the existing balance and continue to use it for groceries as needed.

Step 2: Contact Your Local SNAP Office

The next step is to communicate directly with the agency that manages the case. A recipient has the right to contact their caseworker or the local office to get a clear explanation of the decision. Contact information for the local office is often printed on the closure notice itself, or it can be found on the state’s social services website.

When making contact, it is helpful to be prepared with specific questions to get the most useful information. Key questions to ask include:

“Can you please confirm the exact reason my case was closed?”
“What was the official closing date?”
“The notice says I was missing documents. Can you tell me exactly which documents you need and if I can still submit them now?”
“Based on the information in my file, do you think this closure was a mistake? Is it possible for my case to be reopened?”

Step 3: Ask to Reopen or Reinstate Your Case (The “Shortcut”)

For many procedural closures, there is a “shortcut” that avoids the need to start a brand-new application from scratch. Many states have a grace period, often 30 days from the closure date, during which a household can submit the missing paperwork (like a recertification form or verification documents) and have their case reopened or reinstated. For example, in Texas, an application that was denied for failure to provide verification can be reopened if the household provides the required items within 60 days of the original file date.

This is a critical piece of information that is not always widely publicized. The system has these “undo buttons” partly because the high rate of procedural closures is a known issue. These grace periods are designed to account for things like mail delays or processing backlogs. However, the responsibility falls on the recipient to know about this option and act within the tight timeframe. Therefore, when contacting the SNAP office, a recipient should specifically ask the caseworker, “Since my case was just closed for a paperwork issue, can I submit my documents now to have it reopened?” This can be a much faster and simpler path to getting benefits restored than filing a new application.

Your Right to Appeal: How to Fight a Wrongful Closure

If a household believes the decision to close their SNAP case was based on incorrect information or a mistake by the agency, they have a legal right to challenge it. This formal process is called requesting a “Fair Hearing” or filing an appeal. The hearing is an opportunity to present the case to an impartial Administrative Law Judge who was not involved in the original decision.

The Most Important Deadline: Securing “Aid Pending”

The most time-sensitive aspect of the appeal process is the right to “aid pending,” also known as “aid continuing.” If a household requests a Fair Hearing before the effective date of the closure listed on the notice, they can ask for their SNAP benefits to continue at their current level while they wait for the hearing to take place. This deadline is typically very short—usually within 10 days of the date the closure notice was mailed.

This right provides a crucial safety net, ensuring a family does not go without food assistance while their appeal is being processed. However, it comes with a significant condition: if the household loses the hearing, they may be required to pay back the benefits they received during the appeal period. This creates a difficult choice, as the fear of potential debt may discourage some families from exercising their right to appeal, even if the agency’s decision was wrong. For this reason, seeking advice from a free legal aid service can be very helpful in assessing the strength of the case and the risks involved.

How to File an Appeal

Even if the deadline for aid pending has passed, a household generally has 90 days from the date on the notice to file a SNAP appeal. The methods for filing an appeal vary by state but commonly include :

Online: Many states now have a dedicated website or portal for submitting Fair Hearing requests.
By Phone: Calling a statewide, toll-free appeals hotline is often an option.
By Mail or Fax: The closure notice may include an appeal request form that can be filled out and sent to the state’s Office of Administrative Hearings.
In Person: A request can be filed at a local social services office.

Preparing for Your Hearing

The Fair Hearing is a formal process, but it is designed to be accessible. Most hearings are now conducted by telephone for convenience. During the hearing, both the household and a representative from the SNAP agency will have a chance to present evidence and testimony. The household has the right to :

Be represented by a lawyer, a friend, or a relative.
Bring witnesses to testify on their behalf.
Present documents that support their case, such as pay stubs, medical records, or letters.

Finding Free Legal Help

Navigating an appeal can be challenging. Fortunately, free legal assistance is often available. The closure notice itself may include the names and phone numbers of local organizations that provide free legal representation. Households can also contact their regional Legal Aid or Legal Services office for help with their SNAP case. These organizations can provide advice, help prepare for the hearing, and may even be able to represent the household directly.

Starting Over: A Guide to Reapplying for SNAP

If a case cannot be reopened and the household chooses not to appeal, or if an appeal is lost, the option to reapply for SNAP benefits is always available. Reapplication is essentially a “reset” button that allows a household to start with a clean slate and have their eligibility determined based on their current circumstances.

Reapplication is the correct path in several situations:

When it has been more than 30 days since the case was closed for a procedural reason, and the window for reopening has passed.
When the household’s situation has changed for the better since the closure. For example, if the case was closed due to high income but a job was subsequently lost, a new application would reflect the current, lower income.
When a household decides against appealing a decision or receives an unfavorable appeal decision.

The reapplication process is very similar to filing an initial application. The household will need to complete a new application form, submit all required documents for verification, and participate in an eligibility interview. It is important to address the reason for the previous denial in the new application. For example, if the prior case was closed for missing documents, the household should be extra careful to provide all necessary proofs with the new application.

Applications can typically be submitted through several channels, with online being the fastest method in most states. Other options usually include mailing or faxing a paper application or applying in person at a local SNAP office.

To help with the process, the following table provides a checklist of the most common documents needed to apply for SNAP.

Document Category	Examples of Proof
Proof of Identity	Driver’s license, state ID card, passport, birth certificate
Proof of Address	Lease or rental agreement, mortgage statement, utility bill, rent receipt
Social Security Numbers	Social Security card or proof of application for a number for each household member applying for benefits
Proof of Income (Earned & Unearned)	Pay stubs for the last 30 days, a letter from an employer, benefit award letters from Social Security, Veterans Affairs (VA), or Unemployment Insurance
Proof of Household Expenses	Rent or mortgage statement, property tax bill, heating and utility bills (electricity, gas, water), child care receipts
Proof of Medical Expenses	Doctor or hospital bills, prescription receipts, transportation costs for medical appointments (This is for households with a member who is over age 60 or has a disability)

The Ripple Effect: How Losing SNAP Can Affect Other Benefits

The social safety net is an interconnected web of programs. A change in one area, such as a SNAP case closure, can have a ripple effect on a family’s eligibility for other forms of assistance. The programs are linked in ways that are not always obvious, and a procedural failure in one system can threaten a family’s access to healthcare, infant nutrition, and other supports. Therefore, if a SNAP case is closed, it is crucial for a household to be proactive and check on the status of their other benefits.

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)

The link between SNAP and WIC is very direct. Federal rules state that a person or household participating in SNAP is automatically considered income-eligible for WIC. This simplifies the WIC application process for many families.

If a SNAP case is closed, it does not automatically lead to a WIC closure. However, because SNAP participation was used to prove income eligibility, the WIC agency will likely need the household to provide separate proof of their income to confirm they still qualify under WIC’s own income guidelines.

Actionable Advice: If a SNAP case closes, the household should contact their local WIC office immediately. They should explain what happened with their SNAP case and ask what, if any, documents they need to submit to ensure their WIC benefits continue without interruption.

Medicaid

SNAP and Medicaid are also closely connected. A majority of SNAP recipients—78% in 2022—are also enrolled in Medicaid. The two programs have similar, though not identical, income eligibility rules, which vary by state.

The reason for the SNAP closure is key. If SNAP benefits are terminated because a household’s income increased above the SNAP limit, that same increase in income could also make the household ineligible for Medicaid. However, if SNAP is lost for a reason unrelated to income—such as a procedural error, missing a form, or hitting the ABAWD time limit—it should not directly affect Medicaid eligibility.

Actionable Advice: A household should check their SNAP closure notice carefully. If the reason for closure was an income change, that change must also be reported to the state Medicaid agency. Even if the reason was not related to income, it is a good practice to call the Medicaid office to confirm that the case is still active and in good standing.

TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families / Cash Assistance)

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), often called cash assistance, is a separate program from SNAP. The two programs have different rules, and TANF often has much stricter income and asset limits.

Generally, losing SNAP benefits does not automatically mean a household will lose TANF. The strongest connection between the two programs often involves sanctions. In some states, if a household member fails to comply with TANF work requirements without a good reason, the agency can impose a sanction that reduces or terminates both the TANF and the SNAP benefits for the household.

Actionable Advice: It is important to understand that these are separate programs. Unless the SNAP closure was the result of a sanction that applies to both programs, a change in SNAP status should not directly cause a loss of TANF benefits.

Finding Help Now: Where to Get Food and Support

While a household works through the process of fixing, appealing, or reapplying for SNAP, the immediate need for food remains. A robust network of community-based organizations exists to provide food assistance and can be activated to bridge the gap. Navigating the official SNAP bureaucracy is only one part of a food security strategy; the other is accessing this parallel support system.

Immediate Food Assistance

Food Banks and Food Pantries: Food banks are large warehouses that collect and distribute food to smaller, local programs. Food pantries are the neighborhood sites that give food directly to people in need. To find a local food pantry, a household can call 211, the United Way’s information line, or use an online search tool like the one provided by Feeding America.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): This is a federal program that provides high-quality USDA foods to low-income individuals and families at no cost. This food is distributed through organizations like food banks and local pantries.

Programs for Children and Families

WIC: As mentioned previously, households with pregnant women or children under the age of five should immediately check on their WIC benefits, which provide specific, nutritious foods like milk, eggs, cereal, and produce.
National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs: Children in low-income households may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals at their school. A loss of SNAP benefits is often a qualifying event to apply for these programs directly through the school district.
Summer Food Service Program: When school is not in session, this federal program provides free, healthy meals and snacks to children and teens in low-income areas. Meal sites are often located at parks, community centers, and schools.

Programs for Seniors

Senior Nutrition Program: This program provides meals for older adults, typically those age 60 and over. It includes home-delivered meals (often known as “Meals on Wheels”) for those who are homebound, as well as congregate meals served at community locations like senior centers.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): Also targeted to low-income adults age 60 and over, the CSFP provides a monthly package of USDA foods to supplement their diet.

Other Key Resources

USDA National Hunger Hotline and 211: These are comprehensive, one-stop resources. The USDA National Hunger Hotline (1-866-3-HUNGRY) can help callers find meal sites and other social services in their area. Similarly, dialing 211 connects callers with a trained specialist who can provide information on a wide range of local resources, from food pantries to utility assistance.

Conclusion: You Have Options and You Are Not Alone

A notice that a SNAP case has been closed can be distressing, but it is important to remember that it is a solvable problem, not a final verdict. As this guide has shown, there are clear pathways forward, and a household is not without recourse. The most effective approach depends on the specific reason for the closure.

The three main paths available are:

Fix It: If the closure was due to a simple procedural issue like missing paperwork, the first step should be to contact the SNAP agency. It is often possible to submit the required documents within a short grace period and have the case reopened without having to start over.
Fight It: If the agency’s decision seems wrong, every household has the legal right to file an appeal and request a Fair Hearing. Acting quickly to file an appeal can allow benefits to continue while the case is being reviewed, providing a critical safety net.
Start Over: If a case cannot be reopened or appealed, or if a household’s circumstances have changed, reapplying is always an option. A new application provides a fresh start to demonstrate eligibility based on the most current information.

Throughout this process, help is available. The SNAP agency itself can provide answers, and community partners—such as local food banks, pantries, and free legal aid services—can offer immediate food assistance and expert guidance. By understanding the reasons for a closure, knowing their rights, and taking proactive steps, households can successfully navigate the system and restore the food assistance they need.