Food Resources

What is SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP is a federal program that helps low-income families and individuals purchase nutritious food. SNAP provides benefits via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that can be used as a debit card to purchase eligible groceries from grocery stores, convenience stores, some farmers markets and online from Amazon or Walmart.

Student Eligibility Guidelines
Students with low incomes might be eligible to receive SNAP benefits if they are enrolled at least half-time in a higher education institution, are aged 18-49 and meet at least one of the following exemptions:*

• Employed an average of 20 hours per week/80 hours per month
• A single parent enrolled full time with responsibility for the care of a dependent child under age 12
• Participating in a state or federally financed work-study program
• Receiving Colorado Works (TANF cash grant)
• Responsible for more than half of the physical care of a dependent household member under the age of 6
• Participation in Colorado’s Employment First Program
• Responsible for more than half of the physical care of a dependent household member who is at age of 6 but is under the age of 12 where adequate child care is not available
• Participating in an on-the-job training program while going to the institution of higher education
• Be physically or mentally unfit (similar to general work requirements)

* A student enrolled less than half time in an institution of higher education, does not need to meet the additional student exemptions.

If you live on campus and have a meal plan that pays for more than half of your meals per week, you are not eligible for SNAP. Please check the Campus and Other Resources sections for alternative support.

How to Apply
You can apply for SNAP benefits in several different ways.

• Colorado PEAK is the quickest way to apply for benefits using an online application.
• Download the MyCOBenefits app on your smartphone, available for Apple and Android.
• Print the application and return it by mail, fax, or in person to your county human services department. Applications can be accessed here under the How do I Apply for SNAP section.

See SNAP for College Students for more information.

Cooking Matters runs programs with Colorado parents and caregivers that cover how to shop for and cook healthy, kid-friendly, and affordable meals.

Findhelp allows users to search by zip code to find food assistance, help to pay bills and other free or reduced-cost programs.

Full Cart is a program of the nonprofit U.S. Hunger, offering a virtual food bank. Individuals fill out an online application that places them in a virtual queue. When the application has been funded, Full Cart ships food directly to the client’s door.

Hunger Free Colorado offers the Food Resource Hotline and connects Coloradans to food and nutrition resources. All caller information is confidential, and this service is available to anyone, regardless of legal status. There is also a Food Resource Map available to explore available resources.

Lasagna Love is a nationwide grassroots movement that connects neighbors through homemade meal delivery. Individuals can request a meal for themselves or others in need online and are matched with a volunteer. Requests can be made monthly.

2-1-1 Colorado is a confidential, multilingual service connecting people to resources state-wide.