How to Get Food Assistance from the USDA in Dallas

If you live in Dallas and have trouble affording nutritious food for yourself or your family, you can apply for food assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Two programs offered by the USDA, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the National School Lunch Program, help people in Dallas get the food they need. Programs are primarily federally funded but administered locally. You'll need to provide proof of all household income when you apply.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, at one of several Texas Health and Human Services Commission offices in Dallas. Offices are located at 302 West Ninth Street, 1111 West Ledbetter Street, 3910 Gaston Avenue, 10939 B Shady Trail, 2020 North Masters Drive, 1228 A East Ledbetter Drive and 5455 Blair Road. Apply for food stamps online if you prefer.

You can also apply for food stamps at the Social Security Administration office at 3231 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Dallas if you receive Supplemental Security Income if you prefer instead of going to a Health and Human Services Commission office.

You'll need to complete an application and provide documentation of all household income. Other documents may be required. You must then attend an interview at a Health and Human Services Commission office.

The amount of assistance you can receive from the food stamps program is based on the number of people in your household and your household income.

National School Lunch Program

Apply for free or reduced price school lunches if you have a child that attends school in Dallas. The National School Lunch Program provides free and low cost school lunches to children that attend schools throughout Dallas, including those enrolled at any school in the Dallas Independent School District. Many schools also provide free breakfast to students. Meals must meet nutritional standards set by the USDA.

Apply for free or reduced price lunches and breakfasts for your child at your child's school. If you qualify for food stamps your child will automatically qualify for the National School Lunch Program. Otherwise, you will need to provide documentation of all household income.

Sources:

USDA. http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/contact_info/default.htm . Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Texas Health and Human Services Commission. http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/help/food/foodstamps/index.html . SNAP Food Benefits.

USDA. http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/lunch/AboutLunch/NSLPFactSheet.pdf . National School Lunch Program,