Special SNAP Services in Montana

Montana offers special SNAP services for residents in specific situations. These programs include expedited benefits for urgent needs, disaster relief, employment training, and nutrition incentives to stretch your food budget.

Expedited SNAP (7-Day Service)

This service delivers food benefits within seven days to households that cannot wait the standard 30-day processing period. It is designed for those facing immediate hardship.

Eligibility is based on financial need. You may qualify if your household has under $150 in gross monthly income and $100 or less in liquid assets. Migrant or seasonal farm-worker households with $100 or less in resources also qualify.

Additionally, any household whose combined monthly income and liquid resources are less than their monthly rent and utilities may be eligible. More food stamps FAQ are available online.

To apply, submit a regular SNAP application and tell staff you need “expedited” service. After an interview, benefits are loaded onto your Montana Access card within seven days. Find more SNAP details online.

Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP)

D-SNAP provides temporary food aid to households after a presidentially declared disaster. It is only activated after the USDA approves a request from the state of Montana.

The program helps families who suffered disaster-related income loss or damage to their homes. This includes households that do not normally qualify for or receive SNAP benefits.

When D-SNAP is active, DPHHS will announce temporary application sites for affected counties. Applicants must provide proof of identity, residency in the disaster area, and evidence of disaster-related losses.

Benefits are issued on a special EBT card for one month. You can check the current disaster assistance status and future activations online.

SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T)

The SNAP E&T program helps recipients gain skills and find work to achieve financial independence. The goal is to help participants earn enough to no longer need assistance.

Montana prioritizes Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs). However, slots are open to other SNAP recipients in Flathead, Lincoln, Big Horn, Cascade, Silver Bow, Deer Lodge, Gallatin, Yellowstone, Missoula, and Lewis & Clark counties.

To enroll, call the Public Assistance Helpline at 1-888-706-1535 or ask an OPA caseworker for a referral. Participants work with the MT E&T program for assessments and support.

More information on the Employment & Training program is available from the DPHHS.

Double SNAP Dollars (Nutrition Incentive)

This nutrition incentive gives SNAP users a dollar-for-dollar match when they buy fruits and vegetables. This helps stretch food benefits while supporting local Montana growers.

The match is available at participating farmers markets, farm stands, and some grocery stores. The matching amount is typically capped at $20–$30 per visit, depending on the location.

There is no separate application process. Simply swipe your Montana Access EBT card at a participating site to receive matching Double SNAP Dollars tokens or an instant discount on your purchase.

You can use the online location finder to see participating vendors and specific program rules. Other food assistance programs are also detailed online.

How to Use Your SNAP Benefits in Montana

Once approved for SNAP, you need to know how to use your benefits, covering what you can purchase and where.

What is an EBT Card and How to Use it?

An Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card is how you receive and spend your SNAP benefits. It functions much like a regular debit or credit card. Your monthly food assistance funds are loaded directly onto the card.

When you shop at an authorized store, you swipe the card at the checkout terminal and enter a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) to complete the purchase. The amount is then deducted from your SNAP account balance.

What Can You Buy with SNAP Benefits?

SNAP benefits are intended for purchasing staple food items to prepare at home. This includes a wide variety of groceries that form the basis of a healthy diet, such as:

• Fruits and vegetables

• Meat, poultry, and fish

• Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt

• Breads and cereals

• Other foods such as snacks and non-alcoholic beverages

• Seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat

However, there are specific restrictions on what you can buy. SNAP funds cannot be used for non-food items or certain prepared foods and substances. Ineligible items include:

• Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco

• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements

• Live animals (except for shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered before pick-up)

• Foods that are hot at the point of sale

• Non-food items like pet foods, cleaning supplies, paper products, and cosmetics

Where Can You Use Your EBT Card?

You can use your Montana EBT card at most major grocery stores, convenience stores, and some farmers’ markets. Look for the Quest logo or a sign that says "EBT Accepted Here" at the entrance or checkout line to confirm they accept SNAP payments.

Many online retailers also accept EBT for eligible grocery orders. Major platforms like Amazon and Walmart allow you to add your EBT card as a payment method for purchasing SNAP-approved food items for delivery or pickup in Montana.

Download Benny for Free and Earn Cash Back on EBT

With the Benny app, you can check your EBT balance and earn cash back on groceries from stores like Target, Walmart, and Dollar Tree. You can also get money back from services like Uber and Lyft. It's a helpful tool to manage your benefits and stretch your budget.

Download Benny for free. Connect your EBT card and earn cashback as you shop.