Grappling with a heavier burden of all sorts of household bills? You’re not alone.
A recent report finds that the average annual cost of essential bills for households in the United States now stands at $24,557, which accounts for 35% of the median household income. It also concludes that 73% of consumers have felt the adverse impact of inflation on their ability to pay bills.
For residents of Oklahoma, whose economy had benefited from a huge energy sector over the past decade, the pain is starting to feel real. With the emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits having ended in March and the unemployment rate beginning to rise, a growing number of the state’s population are in need of means to lower their household expenses.
If you are living in Oklahoma and looking to cut your food cost, we have some ideas to get you started. In this guide, we will share tips such as free food resources, how to apply and use SNAP benefits and associated benefit programs that can further lower your living costs.
Free Food Resources
You’d be surprised by the options available in Oklahoma to get free food.
Many community organizations like food banks and food pantries provide free or low-cost food to individuals or families in need. For example, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma distributes free food in central and western Oklahoma. It offers assistance through different programs, including child support and senior programs. Find the nearest pantry here.
You can also visit Freefood.org to explore more free food resources provided by non-profit organizations and local groups in Oklahoma.
Applying for SNAP Benefit
Although the emergency SNAP benefits came to an end in March, eligible residents in Oklahoma can still apply for SNAP benefits, or food stamps. Being the first line of defence against hunger, SNAP is a federal program that provides financial support to low income households to buy nutritious food and seeds or plants to grow food.
Eligible individuals and families receive benefits directly through the SNAP/ Electronic benefits transfer system (EBT) each month. The EBT card works the same way as your debit card. After receiving payments, you can use the EBT card at most grocery stores and farmers markets.
Do I Qualify for SNAP Benefit?
Under federal rules, eligibility criteria for SNAP benefits include income limits, household assets and immigration status. In addition, each state has its own set of eligibility requirements for SNAP benefits such as income standards, family size and citizenship status. For Oklahoma, the following basic requirements will be applied when considering eligibility for SNAP:
- United States citizen or legal alien.
- Work requirements (unemployed adults, ages 18 TO 50).
- Meet income standard(s) shown on Appendix C-3.
- Social Security Numbers for all household members included in food benefit household.
Some of the eligibility requirements like income limits are updated annually. You can find the latest information, benefit amount as well as deductions allowed in SNAP from U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services. There are also special SNAP rules for households with elderly or disabled household members.
How to Apply for SNAP Benefits in Oklahoma
The application process is pretty straightforward. You can apply online at www.OKDHSLIVE.ORG by answering application questions about yourself and your household or submit a completed form 08MP001E (Request for Benefits) to Oklahoma Department of Human Services. Visit the website to find the nearest local office or information for you to contact them.
In most cases, it takes around 30 days to process and determine your eligibility status. During the period, you will need to complete an eligibility interview and give proof of the information you provided. Once you are approved, you will receive your EBT card, which is accepted at authorized retailers across Oklahoma to pay for eligible food such as fruits, vegetables, and meats.
Authorized retailers include major chains like Walmart and many local farmers markets and community-supported agriculture programs. Check out the complete list and map of store locations at the Oklahoma Department of Human Services site to access cheaper nutrition food!
More Benefit Programs
As an eligible SNAP recipient, you are also entitled to other benefit programs that can help lower your household cost or increase your income.
For instance, if you are looking for a job and do not receive cash assistance (TANF), you may be eligible to participate in free job training. Oklahoma Human Services and community work together to provide eligible individuals with free employment and training services through OK SNAP Works, Oklahoma’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training Program.
Participants may also qualify for additional assistance when they take the training courses, such as child care services and transportation assistance. Simply contact your SNAP Eligibility worker to sign up for the program.
Moreover, you will automatically qualify for other assistance programs provided by the government. Two of the more popular ones are Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) — programs that provide participants with affordable phone and internet services and for some even free mobile phones.
Lifeline/ACP Programs with EASY Wireless
Lifeline offers more affordable phone and internet services for eligible low income families and individuals by providing a subsidy that reduces monthly costs for phone services. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) aims to provide affordable internet access, assisting eligible households overcome financial barriers to connectivity.
Once you are eligible for SNAP benefits, you can receive the following exciting plan when you sign up for Lifeline and ACP through EASY Wireless:
EASY Wireless Unlimited Plan
- FREE Unlimited Data
- FREE Unlimited Talk
- FREE Unlimited Text
- FREE Brand-new Smartphone
- FREE SIM Card Kit and Activation
- Choose to Keep Your Number or Get a New One
With a 20-year history of offering reliable communication services to thousands of satisfied customers, EASY Wireless is a trusted service provider in the nation. We always put in our best effort to help you make the best use of benefit programs like ACP so you can access stable telephone services at lower cost.
Collect Your Free Government Cell Phone at EASY Wireless
Feeling the urge to apply for Lifeline and ACP benefits? Simply visit one of EASY Wireless’s 30 retail stores in Oklahoma, our customer service agent will be at your service.
All we need is your identity proof with a government-issued ID to confirm your participation in the SNAP program. Just sit back and experience a hassle-free journey as our in-store agents handle the complicated National Verifier process to confirm your eligibility for ACP.
You may choose one of the following ID as your identity proof:
- U.S. Driver License
- Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
- Certificate of Naturalization
- U.S. Passport
- U.S. Government, State or Tribal issued-ID
- U.S. Military ID cards
- Permanent Resident Cards
- Permanent Resident Alien Cards
Drop by and leave the same day with your new phone and service when you qualify for Lifeline and ACP.
Comprehensive Communication Services
At EASY Wireless, we provide full-suite services to meet all your communication needs. With options to suit every budget, you can always find a high-quality phone from trusted brands that fits your budget.
Our friendly team will be there to help you explore all available benefits and cheaper phone options. We take pride in our stellar customer service and truly care about our customers.
Visit us and grab your free cell phone today!
