SNAP food assistance in District of Columbia

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in District of Columbia as SNAP, provides monthly food benefits via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards usable at participating retailers. Below is the state-specific information for applying and receiving benefits in District of Columbia.

District of Columbia state SNAP contacts

Eligibility for non-citizens

SNAP has STRICT immigration-status rules. To receive SNAP benefits in District of Columbia, the household member must be ONE of:

  • U.S. citizen
  • Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) with 5+ years of LPR status (or earlier in some cases)
  • Refugee or asylee (no 5-year wait — eligible from grant date)
  • Cuban/Haitian entrant
  • Trafficking victim with T visa or pending T application
  • Battered immigrant (VAWA self-petitioner)
  • Iraqi/Afghan Special Immigrant
  • Veteran or active-duty US military or qualifying family member

Children of undocumented parents: If a child is a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, that child can receive SNAP even if the parents cannot. The household applies for benefits for the eligible members only.

What SNAP can buy (and can’t)

CAN buy:

  • Fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish
  • Dairy products
  • Breads, cereals, pasta, rice
  • Snack foods, non-alcoholic beverages
  • Seeds and plants that produce food

CANNOT buy:

  • Alcohol, tobacco
  • Hot prepared foods (with limited exceptions)
  • Vitamins, supplements
  • Non-food items (paper goods, household supplies, pet food)

Maximum monthly benefit (FY2026)

Household sizeMaximum monthly benefit (48 states + DC)
1$298
2$546
3$785
4$994
5$1,183
6$1,421
7$1,571
8$1,789
Each additional person+$218

Source: USDA FNA, FY2026 COLA (effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026). USDA FNA PDF.

Last verified: 2026-06-10. General procedural information — not legal or tax advice. SNAP rules and amounts change; verify current eligibility with the District of Columbia SNAP agency.