Ever worried about how you’re going to afford groceries or put the next meal on the table? Thousands of low-income families face hunger and food insecurity every day in Oklahoma. But there are resources to help. The government departments that handle Oklahoma food benefits program have several assistance programs for those in need.
The two most popular food programs in the state are the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). In this guide we will walk you through the application process step-by-step so you can get the food assistance you need. Let’s get to it.
SNAP Food Benefits in Oklahoma: Eligibility and How to Apply
Let us first dive into the SNAP program. To qualify for SNAP food benefits in Oklahoma, your household income must be below certain limits, which are depend on your household size.
To apply, you have the following options:
- Apply online. This is the fastest and most convenient way to apply for SNAP. You can apply 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Visit your local or state SNAP office to apply in person. Bring documents to verify your income and expenses.
- Mail a paper application to your local county assistance office. Again, provide documents proving your income and household details.
- Call the SNAP information hotline to request an application be mailed to you.
During the application process, your information will be verified to confirm you meet the program requirements before your SNAP benefits are approved. Benefits are distributed on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card or Access Oklahoma card, which works like a debit card to purchase groceries.
WIC Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children
If you’re worried that you may not qualify for SNAP, the WIC program can be your next option. The WIC program provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, certain child care benefits, and referrals to health care for low-income women, infants, and children. To qualify, you must meet income guidelines and be pregnant, breastfeeding, or have minor children under age five.
WIC is a supplemental program, so the foods provided are meant to complement your existing diet. But combined with nutrition education, the program can make a big difference in providing healthy foods during such an important stage of your children’s lives. The program serves over 7 million women and children across the U.S. each year. If you’re struggling to put nutritious food on the table, WIC may be able to help. Here’s how to apply:
Applying For WIC Program
To apply, visit the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) or your local WIC agency. There they will schedule an appointment to determine if you qualify based on your family size and your annual household income. Bring proof of identity for yourself and your children, as well as proof of income or participation in other benefit programs like SNAP food stamps or Medicaid.
WIC benefits include things like milk, eggs, cheese, cereal, juice, peanut butter, and dried or canned beans. The specific foods and amounts depend on the age and nutritional needs of each family member. WIC also provides nutrition tips and support to help keep you and your kids healthy.
National School Lunch Program
While this next benefit program doesn’t necessarily provide food support for adults, it can relieve some of your financial burden by giving your children access to nutritious meals during school day. The National School Lunch Program provides free or low-cost meals to children in schools and residential childcare institutions. If your child attends public school in Oklahoma, they likely qualify for the program.
Application Process
The application process for the National School Lunch Program is straightforward. You will need to fill out a form for free or reduced-price meals and return it to your child’s school or school district. It will ask for information such as:
- Household income
- Household size
- Names and ages of all household members
- SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR case number (if applicable)
- Assets (stocks, your current bank balance)
Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens Around Oklahoma
Last but not least, there are many food pantries and soup kitchens located around Oklahoma to help provide meals and groceries for those in need. These local organizations rely on donations and volunteers to serve the community.
Food Pantries
Food pantries distribute groceries and other supplies for you to prepare meals at home. Many pantries allow you to visit every so often to pick up staples like:
- Canned goods (veggies, fruits, soups, tuna)
- Dairy (milk, cheese)
- Grains (rice, pasta)
- Proteins (fish, peanut butter)
There are some well-known food pantries in Oklahoma such as Urban Mission & Iron Gate. Check with pantries in your area for hours.
Soup Kitchens and Meal Programs
Soup kitchens and meal programs provide hot meals for those in need of food assistance. Some offer meals a few times a week, while others are open daily. You can receive meals such as:
- Breakfast (pancakes, eggs)
- Lunch (sandwiches, soups)
If You Qualify For Food Benefits, You Likely Qualify For a FREE PHONE!
If you’re struggling to put food on the table, hopefully you find the help you need from one of the programs or organizations we listed above. But who’s to say you can’t get even more assistance? Here in the US, there are many programs to help you buy nutritious food, live comfortably, gain access to healthcare, gain access to child care, and more. But there are also programs here to help you stay connected to your loved ones.
Here at EASY Wireless, we’re working with programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) & Lifeline to offer Oklahoma households access to some incredible benefits. Here’s what you can receive:
What Benefits Do You Get With EASY Wireless?
Upon qualifying for one of the programs above with EASY Wireless, you will receive the following benefits:
EASY Wireless Unlimited Plan
- FREE Unlimited Data
- FREE Unlimited Talk
- FREE Unlimited Text
- FREE Smartphone
- FREE SIM Card Kit and Activation
- Choose to Keep Your Number or Get a New One
How do I Apply For EASY Wireless Benefits?
To get started with EASY Wireless, apply online by clicking the below:
Start Saving Today!
Start Saving Today!
Or you can come to one of the EASY Wireless’s retail stores, where our customer service agent will help you apply for the benefits.
Either way, the first step is to provide proof of identity with a government-issued ID. This is so you can confirm your participation in one of the qualifying programs or that you meet the household income requirement.
We accept the following U.S. Government Issued ID:
- 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
You can show the following documents to prove that you are taking part in a government financial assistance program or use them as proof of active benefits:
- Statement of benefits from a qualifying Program.
- Notice letter of participation, such as an award letter
- Program participation documents, such as a screenshot from an online account.
- In order to show income, you can provide any of the following proofs:
- Unemployment Documentation
- Copy of your State or Federal income tax return.
- Three months’ worth of current pay stubs.
- Veterans Administration or SSI benefits letter.
- A divorce decree or child support document that states income.
- Retirement or pension statement.
Need More Than Just One Line of Service or an Additional Phone?
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