The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency.
To find out if you are eligible for SNAP, visit the Iowa HHS Benefits Portal. Or, learn more about Iowa's coverage, approved vendors, and more.
List items for SNAP Overview
To be eligible for SNAP in Iowa, you must:
- be a resident of Iowa
- be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. non-citizen national, or an eligible non-citizen
- meet income guidelines
- provide all information Iowa HHS requests
How much money you receive from SNAP will depend on:
- Your household income, including money earned from jobs and payments from things like Social Security
- Your deductible expenses
- How many people live with you
There are multiple ways you can apply for SNAP benefits. Learn more about applying for SNAP by visiting our " How to Apply for SNAP" page.
- Apply online using Iowa's Self-Service Portal.
- Apply at your local HHS office.
- Download an application ( English (243.41 KB) .pdf )( Spanish (246.02 KB) .pdf ) and
- Email the completed application to [email protected]
- Fax the application to 515-564-4017
- Mail the completed application to:
Imaging Center 4
PO Box 2027
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406
Discover how SNAP recipients can double their dollars, up to $15/day, to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables.
If you already receive SNAP, you can access your account information on the web at www.connectebt.com. There is no charge for using this online access.
If you believe you have been a victim of EBT fraud:
- Contact EBT Customer Service immediately at 800-359-5802 to report the fraud and request a replacement card.
- Report the theft to your local law enforcement agency.
- You may also report the incident to the USDA Office of Inspector General at 800-424-9121.
Please note: SNAP benefits that have been stolen cannot be replaced. For tips on protecting your benefits and card, visit the “Keep Your SNAP Benefits Safe” section below.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (833) 620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to:
- mail:
Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
Alexandria, VA 22314; or - fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or - email:
[email protected]
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Iowa HHS Self-Service Portal
Unlock your benefits today! Apply for SNAP, FIP, and Medicaid with just a few clicks through our user-friendly Self-Service Portal.
SNAP Healthy Foods Waiver Changes - Update as of July 2, 2026
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) directed Iowa HHS to return to federal SNAP guidelines, meaning all food items eligible before January 1, 2026, are allowed again. Stores have been instructed to make these changes as soon as possible.
Because the SUN Bucks program was already underway when this update took effect, foods that were previously eligible before the waiver will be allowed under SUN Bucks.
Keep Your SNAP Benefits Safe
Keeping your SNAP benefits safe is crucial for ensuring that you have reliable access to the resources you need for maintaining your health and well-being.
- Avoid simple PINs. Number combinations such as 1111, 1234, or 9876 may be easy for others to guess.
- Keep your PIN and card number secret. Never share your PIN or card number with anyone outside your household. Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN on a machine.
- Beware of phishing. Iowa HHS and EBT processors will never call or text to ask for your PIN or card number.
- Change your PIN often. Change your PIN at least once a month, right before your benefit issuance date.
If you notice any purchases you did not make, change your PIN right away to stop the thief from making new purchases. Report suspicious activity to your local SNAP office.
In an effort to reduce fraud, you now have the ability to lock/unlock EBT card to prevent purchases.
What happens when a card is locked:
- Everywhere
- This option will stop any type of purchase from being made, including online/internet purchases.
- Some credit/refunds will also be locked, only online refunds will be allowed.
- Cardholders will receive an email each time the card is locked or unlocked
- Out-of-State
- This option will stop the card from being used in-person at a store out-of-state.
- All online/internet purchases will still be allowed.
- Cardholders will receive an email each time the card is locked or unlocked
How to Lock and Unlock the Card:
- How to Lock and Unlock your EBT Card in the ConnectEBT Web Portal
- How to Lock and Unlock your EBT Card in the ConnectEBT Mobile App
Cardholders must use either:
- ConnectEBT app (available for iPhone and Android) or,
- ConnectEBT.com
- To unlock a card, a customer service rep at the EBT Customer Service Center by calling 800-359-5802
Point-of-Sale machines
DISABLED CARD will show when someone tries to use a locked card
If you are making a purchase in Iowa, we recommend you use the mobile app to change your LOCK MY CARD EVERYWHERE status to LOCK MY CARD OUTSIDE OF IA as you are about to checkout with your groceries and immediately lock the card again EVERYWHERE after the transaction goes through (if you never make purchases outside of Iowa: it is recommended your card is never completely unlocked. At the minimum you should always use the LOCK MY CARD OUTSIDE OF IA)
If you are making a purchase in another state, we recommend you use the mobile app to change your lock EVERYWHERE status to UNLOCK MY CARD as you are about to checkout with your groceries and immediately lock the card again EVERYWHERE after the transaction goes through.
SNAP Related Programs
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