SNAP and food help for older adults in North Dakota

In short: North Dakota SNAP gives people 60 and over a simple way to count medical costs: a standard medical deduction of $175 a month instead of adding up receipts. If you are 60 or older with income at or below 150% of the poverty level, you can also get a free CSFP food box every two months, often delivered to your home. Apply for SNAP at applyforhelp.nd.gov; apply for CSFP with the local agency for your county.

SNAP for people 60 and over

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) puts money on an EBT card each month for groceries. North Dakota has these rules for households with someone 60 or older or disabled:

Rule	What it means
Medical costs count	Out-of-pocket medical costs over $35 a month can raise your benefit.
Standard medical deduction	Instead of proving every bill, you can take a set deduction of $175 a month if your costs are over $35.

The standard deduction is a choice. It saves you from collecting every receipt each month.

How to apply for SNAP

Online: the Self-Service Portal at applyforhelp.nd.gov.
On paper: the Application for Assistance (SFN 405). Return it to your Human Service Zone office. The same form covers Medicaid.
Questions: Customer Support Center, (866) 614-6005 (TTY 711), or [email protected]. Find your zone office at hhs.nd.gov/human-service/zones.

Tell the zone office about the medical costs you pay yourself.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

CSFP gives free boxes of healthy food to people 60 and older with low income. In North Dakota, the Department of Public Instruction runs the program, and local agencies hand out the food.

Who qualifies

You are 60 or older.
Your household's gross income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines.
You live in the local agency's service area.
You do not live in a nursing home, assisted living or other facility that gives you meals.

You do not need to show proof of income. You tell the agency your household size and income and sign the form.

How to apply

Contact the local agency for your county. North Dakota's CSFP agencies are:
- Southeast North Dakota Community Action Agency, Fargo
- Community Action Partnership, Dickinson
- Community Action Partnership, Williston
- Hope Center, Devils Lake
- Great Plains Food Bank, Fargo
Fill out the State of North Dakota CSFP Application. Show some ID, such as a state ID, driver's license, or a recent utility bill or other mail from the past 30 days.
Sign it. If you apply by phone or mail, you must sign within 60 days.
Name a helper (proxy) on the form if someone else will pick up your food.

The agency should process your application within 30 days. If the program is full, you go on a waiting list and are served in order. You will be told in writing within 10 days.

How you get the food

Food comes every two months: in October, December, February, April, June and August.
Agencies may deliver to your home (the state's preferred way), use a drive-up site, or set a pickup place and time.
If you are homebound, delivery comes by the end of the first month of each two-month period.

You stay approved for three years. Each year the agency checks your address, income and whether you still want food. After three years, you fill out a new application.

Questions about CSFP: Department of Public Instruction, Child Nutrition and Food Distribution, 701-328-2294.

Farmers market coupons

North Dakota does not run a statewide Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. The Spirit Lake Tribe runs one for its area.

Senior meals

For meals at senior centers or delivered to your home, call the Aging and Disability Resource LINK at 1-855-462-5465 (ND 711 for TTY).

After you apply

SNAP: You get a letter with the decision. Report changes the zone office asks you to report, and renew when asked.
CSFP appeals: If you are turned down or your food is stopped, you have 60 days from the notice to ask for a fair hearing. Call 701-328-2263. If your food is being stopped, you can keep getting it while you wait for the decision.