Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
SNAP is a federal program that provides financial assistance to low-income individuals and families, helping them purchase nutritious food. By supplementing your food budget, SNAP ensures that you and your family have access to healthy meals.
Food Bank of Alaska’s Involvement with SNAP
At Food Bank of Alaska, we are committed to ensuring that no Alaskan goes hungry. As part of this mission, we play a crucial role in supporting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Our dedicated SNAP Outreach team works directly with individuals and families to:
- Answer Questions: We provide clear and accurate information about SNAP eligibility requirements and benefits.
- Assist with Applications: We guide you through the SNAP application process, helping you gather necessary documentation and complete the required forms.
- Advocate for Access: We work to improve access to SNAP benefits across Alaska, ensuring that everyone who qualifies can receive the assistance they need.
Our goal is to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible, so you can focus on providing healthy meals for your family.
Contact Us
To serve you more efficiently, we encourage you to reach out via email or text for faster responses due to our high call volume.
- Email: snap@foodbankofalaska.org
- Text: SNAP to 907-891-8913
- Call: 907-222-3119
For non-English speaking clients, click here.
Ways to Apply for SNAP
- Download a fillable PDF here.
- Request a paper application with return postage here.
- Request an appointment to complete the application over the phone.
Understand your rights and responsibilities for SNAP.
Submit Your Completed Application for SNAP
- You may email your application to us at snap@foodbankofalaska.org or you may email it directly to DPA at hss.dpa.offices@alaska.gov.
- You can fax your application to the DPA at 888-269-6520
- Drop your application off at one of the DPA offices. Click here for a list of locations.
Division of Public Assistance Information
You may contact DPA through their Virtual Call Center at 800-478-7778. The call center is open Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm Email: hss.dpa.offices@alaska.gov (you may email all supporting documents to this email as well. Please be sure to include your full name so DPA can find you in their system).
- Office locations are open Tuesday-Thursday 9am-4pm in most locations.
- View list of locations here.
Links and Resources
Materials for Individuals & Families
- Find a list of our partner food pantries here.
- Link to 211: Alaska 211 is your one-stop resource for finding help in your community. It’s free, confidential, and available in almost any language.
- Medical Deduction Worksheet
Materials for Partners
Understanding SNAP: The New Food Stamps
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, provides monthly financial assistance to households through a “Quest” debit card that can be used to purchase groceries. Food Bank of Alaska’s SNAP Outreach team is committed to helping Alaskans across the state complete the Public Assistance application, which includes SNAP, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance, Adult Public Assistance, and General Relief. We are dedicated to supporting families and individuals step-by-step through the application process, ensuring they receive the assistance they need.
Households may qualify for SNAP based on their monthly income and assets. If you need help applying or are interested in volunteering with SNAP Outreach, please contact Food Bank of Alaska’s SNAP Outreach Team at snap@foodbankofalaska.org or 907-222-3119. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient community.
Why Food Bank of Alaska does SNAP outreach
At Food Bank of Alaska, we recognize the tremendous potential of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to enhance food security for families. Despite this, approximately 20% of Alaskans who qualify for SNAP do not claim their benefits. This can be due to various factors such as limited time and transportation, language barriers, physical and cognitive impairments, and the stigma associated with seeking assistance.
Our SNAP Outreach team is dedicated to overcoming these barriers by meeting people where they are – at food pantries, shelters, grocery stores, libraries, and community events throughout the state. We provide personalized assistance to ensure that everyone who qualifies can access the support they need.
SNAP is a vital resource in the fight against hunger and can feed more families in Alaska than all other food programs combined. In FY22 alone, SNAP delivered over $348 million in food assistance benefits to Alaskans. This not only stretches food budgets for clients but also bolsters the charitable food system and strengthens the local economy.
By increasing SNAP participation, we can make a significant impact on reducing hunger and supporting the well-being of our community. If you or someone you know needs assistance with SNAP, please contact our outreach team. Together, we can create a hunger-free Alaska.
Protect Your SNAP Benefits from Scams
Never give out personal information to an unexpected caller. The Alaska Division of Public Assistance (DPA) will never contact you by phone, text, or email to ask for your card number or PIN.
Beware of “Spoofing”: Spoofing is when a caller masks their true phone number to make it appear as if they are calling from a legitimate source. Scammers may display the DPA Call Center number (800-478-7778) and ask for your PIN, Social Security number, or birth date to gain new or increased benefits.
What to Do:
- If you suspect spoofing, hang up immediately.
- Call the number on the back of your Quest card to verify the call.
If You Are a Victim of Benefit Fraud:
- Contact the DPA at 800-478-7778.
- Report the incident to your local police department.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
View our full nondisclosure statement for SNAP and FDPIR.