SNAP Minimum Payments

New Jersey has a minimum monthly SNAP benefit amount of $95.  If you apply for SNAP and are approved to receive the federal minimum payment or any amount less than $95, New Jersey will add a supplemental payment so that the amount you receive equals $95.  The supplemental payment will be automatically added to your Families First Card along with your regular benefit.

For example, if you are approved for $23 in SNAP benefits, you will receive an additional payment of $72 from the state so your total benefit amount is $95. 

Eligibility - Seniors and People with Disabilities

SNAP applicants aged 60 or older and those with a disability but who are not 60:

• No work requirement
• Remain eligible for 24 months before needing to recertify
• Higher resource limits
• Resources may be counted
• Medical expenses over $35 per month deducted from income
• Automatically eligible for other utility benefit programs including Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Universal Service Fund (USF)

Eligibility - College Students

Are you a student, age 18 to 49 enrolled at least half-time in a college, university, community college, or business, technical, trade, or vocational school that requires a high school diploma?

If so, you may be eligible for food assistance through New Jersey’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP is a federal program that can help individuals and families with low incomes buy the groceries they need to eat healthy. Eligibility depends on several factors like income, household size, resources, etc.

In addition to income eligibility factors, students also must fit at least ONE of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in an approved Career and Technical Education Program at a New Jersey community college;
• Be employed at least 20 hours per week AND paid for such work;
• Be participating in a federal work study program during the school year;
• Be participating in an on-the-job training program;
• Be responsible for the care of a member of your household who is a dependent under the age of six years-old;
• Be a single parent enrolled full-time AND responsible for a dependent under the age 12 years-old;
• Be unable to work due to a physical or mental disability; or
• Be receiving Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits (cash assistance).

Download the NJ SNAP Student Eligibility Verification Form

If you would like more information on college student eligibility, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Eligibility - Work Requirements

SNAP participants between the ages of 16 through 59 who are not specifically exempted by law are subject to work requirements as a condition of eligibility. SNAP recipients between the ages of 18 and 52 who do not reside with a child under 18, and who are physically and mentally fit for work are subject to Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work rules and time limits. There are some exceptions to the ABAWD work rules. Learn more about the ABAWD work exceptions here. 

Individuals subject to the ABAWD Time Limit Rules can only receive SNAP benefits for 3 months in a 3-year period unless they are working or in an allowable activity for at least 80 hours a month.

As a SNAP participant, you may be required to register for work with the NJ One-Stop Career Center. Registering for work means that when you apply for SNAP, you agree to the following work requirements:

• Respond to requests from your County Social Service Agency regarding employment status and availability for work;
• Accept suitable employment, if offered;
• Do not voluntarily quit a job of 30 or more hours a week or reduce your work hours to less than 30 hours per week.

If you are required to register for work, you may be referred to your local NJ One-Stop Career Center to learn more about the services offered through the SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program.

The SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program offers a wide range of opportunities to help you find training, skills, and work that’s right for you. E&T is a completely voluntary program.  There are no penalties if you choose not to participate, or if you do participate and later decide to stop.  E&T participants are eligible to receive help with expenses incurred while participating in the program, such as transportation, dependent care, or other costs necessary for participating, such as uniforms, books or supplies. E&T services are a combined effort between the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL), and community partnerships.