08 Aug Am I eligible for food stamps? Would I have to repay it?

Q.  If I am qualified for food stamps and receive the benefit what will happen when I die? Does the program go after my house to recoup the money spent like Medicaid does?

— Struggling a bit

A. The benefit commonly called “food stamps” by some is officially named the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Like Medicaid, SNPA is a federal program run by the state, said Catherine Romania, an estate planning attorney with Witman Stadtmauer in Florham Park. 

She said it provides government assistance to individuals below certain income and asset thresholds.

“New Jersey’s SNAP provides this assistance through a benefits card accepted in most retail stores allowing for the purchase of groceries,” she said. “Eligibility is granted for a limited period and must be renewed.”

The program, under the Department of Human Services, has different income requirements based on family size. You can see those details here. 

New Jersey has a minimum monthly SNAP benefit amount of $95, the website said.

“If you apply for SNAP and are approved to receive the federal minimum payment or any amount less than $95, New Jersey will add a supplemental payment so that the amount you receive equals $95,” it said.

But there is an important different between SNAP benefits and Medicaid.

“Unlike Medicaid, which provides health benefits and requires repayment upon death from the decedent’s available estate assets, the SNAP does not require repayment provided benefits were properly received,” Romania said. “However, if benefits at any time are discovered to be overpaid, fraudulently paid, sold to third parties or similarly wrongfully paid or utilized, repayment may be required.”

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This story was originally published in August 2025.

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