Food Stamp Program

Food Stamps Renewal Process

What is a Food Stamp certification period?
At the end of the application process, your clients, if they are successfully enrolled, are entitled to receive food stamps for a certain number of months. This is called a “certification period”. Most states certify applicants for three months. When the certification period ends, your client must re-certify. The food stamp office is required to send notice of when the certification is going to end.

If my client has a fixed monthly income such as SSI, can the Food Stamp office extend his/her certification period?
Yes. If your clients' monthly income is unlikely to change, the food stamp office has the option to extend the certification period to one year. Some states allow two-year certification periods for individuals who are disabled or elderly.