BenefitSearch.
Home › Guides
Guide · Every state

Free food and grocery help

If you need food today, a food pantry is the fastest help, and most don't ask for proof of income. For ongoing help, SNAP puts money for groceries on a card each month, and WIC helps pregnant women and young children.

Food today: food banks and pantries

Food banks supply local pantries, meal sites and mobile food distributions. The food is free, and many pantries serve anyone who needs it.

Find a food bank or food pantry near youFree service or coverageEnter your ZIP code to find your local food bank, which can point you to nearby food pantries, free meal sites and mobile food distributions. Food is free.Who qualifies: Anyone who needs food; most food pantries don't require proof of income.Free food from local food pantries (TEFAP)Free service or coverageFree groceries from local food banks and pantries, supplied by USDA.Who qualifies: Households with low income; states set the income limits.

Money for groceries every month: SNAP

SNAP (food stamps) gives households with lower income a monthly amount on an EBT card to buy groceries. Each state runs its own program and application.

Pregnant women, babies and young children: WIC

WIC provides healthy foods, formula and nutrition help for pregnant and new mothers and children under 5.

Children: school and summer meals

Children in families with lower income can get free or reduced-price school meals. Apply through your child's school. In summer, many states give families grocery money for each school-age child.

Summer EBT (SUN Bucks)Free moneyMoney for groceries during summer break for school-age children, loaded on an EBT card. Not every state takes part.Who qualifies: School-age children whose families have low income, including those who get free or reduced-price school meals.

Older adults

People 60 and older with lower income can get a monthly box of food, and many areas offer home-delivered meals.

Senior food boxes (Commodity Supplemental Food Program)Free service or coverageA free monthly box of healthy groceries for seniors with low income.Who qualifies: People 60 and older with low income.Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition ProgramFree moneyCoupons or cards to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets and roadside stands during the season.Who qualifies: Seniors 60 and older with low income, in states and tribes that offer it.Eldercare LocatorFree service or coverageConnects you with local help for older adults, like meals, rides, in-home care and caregiver support. Call 1-800-677-1116.Who qualifies: Older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers.

Find SNAP in your state

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

Find WIC in your state

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

Good to know

  • Applying for SNAP is free, and you can usually apply online.
  • Call 2-1-1 to find pantries, free meals and holiday food help near you.
  • For free, confidential help from a person, call 2-1-1.

Rules, limits and deadlines change. Each program page links to the official source for current details. Choose your state to see everything available where you live.