Division of Welfare and Supportive Services
Application for Assistance
“Working for the Welfare of ALL Nevadans”
Programs You May Apply For:
Food Assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps people buy food.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) helps families with children meet their basic needs with cash assistance.
Time Frames
SNAP benefits are processed within 30 days from the date of the application. If your household has little or no income, you could receive SNAP benefits within 7 days from the date of your application. SNAP benefits are paid from the date of the application.
TANF benefits are paid from the date of approval or 30 days from the date of the application, whichever is sooner. TANF applications are processed within 45 days from the application date unless there are unusual circumstances.
Denial of benefits for one program does not automatically affect the decision on another program you may be applying for.
SNAP Expedite Rules
The following households are entitled to expedited service and should receive SNAP benefits within 7 days:
Households with less than $150 in monthly gross income and no more than $100 in liquid resources;
Migrant or seasonal farm worker households who are destitute, provided their liquid resources do not exceed $100;
Households with combined monthly gross income and liquid resources less than the household’s monthly rent or mortgage and utilities.
Social Security Numbers
You will be asked to provide Social Security Numbers (SSN) for all persons (including yourself) who are applying for assistance, pursuant to Title 42 USC 1320b-7 and is authorized under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (formerly the Food Stamp Act), as amended 7 U.S.C. 2011-2036. Providing or applying for a SSN is voluntary. For SNAP, any person who wants assistance but does not want to give information about his or her SSN will not be eligible for benefits. Other family or household members may still get benefits if they are otherwise eligible. For TANF, if a required household member fails or refuses to provide an SSN without good cause, the entire household will be ineligible for TANF benefits. This includes all individuals whose income and needs are used to determine eligibility for the TANF program.
SSNs are used to verify your household’s income and resources and to conduct computer matching with other agencies such as the Social Security Administration, Employment Security Division, Child Support Enforcement Programs and the Internal Revenue Service. It is also used to gather workforce information, investigations, recover overpaid benefits and to ensure duplicate benefits are not received.
Citizenship/Immigration Status
You will be required to provide information about the citizenship and/or immigration status for all persons (including yourself) who are applying for assistance. For SNAP, if any of these persons do not want to give us information about his/her citizenship and/or immigration status, he/she will not be eligible for benefits. Other family or household members may still receive benefits if they are otherwise eligible. For TANF, if a required household member fails or refuses to provide verification of their status, the entire household will be ineligible for TANF benefits. Qualified Non-Citizen status is verified with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) for eligibility purposes. Information on non-applicants or non-qualified non-citizens will not be shared with USCIS.
Where do I mail my completed application?
Send or submit your complete, signed application to the address below. Eligibility determinations will be based on rules and requirements which pertain to the program you are applying for. We will notify you if you are eligible or not, or give you further instructions for completing your application.
State of Nevada
Division of Welfare and Supportive Services
P.O. Box 15400
Las Vegas, NV 89114-5400
What if I need help with this application?
Phone: 1-800-992-0900 ext 47200 Southern Nevada (702) 486-1646 Northern Nevada (775) 684-7200
Email: welfare@dwss.nv.gov Online: https://dwss.nv.gov
In person: Visit our website or call 1-800-992-0900 ext 47200 to find a local DWSS District office
Language Interpreter: Call 1-800-992-0900 ext 47200 or TTY 1-800-326-6888
Applicant information, please keep this page for your records.