Welcome to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Policy Manual

Use the left side navigation to view SNAP policy details.

See below for resources for North Dakotans and human service zone staff.

Current policy update — September 23, 2026. Sections 502 Eligible

Having met the qualifications to receive a SNAP benefit by meeting the specified nonfinancial and financial requirements of eligibility. Alien

A legal alien is a person lawfully residing in the United States of America who is not a citizen. A legal alien may not necessarily have permanent residence status. An illegal alien is a person present in the United States of America in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Status and 604 Vehicles were updated from the SNAP Policy change

Information that is different from what is currently used to determine eligibility and/or benefits. supplied September 16, 2026. Release 26.7 COLA changes remain upcoming and take effect October 1, 2026.

Upcoming release

Release 26.7 - Effective October 1, 2026

Annual SNAP COLA updates changed income standards, maximum allotments, utility and shelter deductions, the resource limit for households with an elderly or disabled A member of a household who meets one of the following criteria: 1.Eligible to receive SSI benefits, including presumptive SSI payments, or is eligible as a 1619B under SSI criteria. 2.Is determined disabled by SSA and in receipt of disability payments. 3.Is a recipient of disability related medical assistance under Medicaid (Title XIX of the Social Security Act). Eligibility to receive these benefits must be based on disability or blindness criteria, which is at least as stringent as SSI regulations. 4.Is in receipt of disability retirement benefits from a government agency because of a disability considered permanent under Social Security disability criteria. 5.Is a veteran with a service connected or non-service connected disability. 6.Is a veteran considered by the VA in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently house bound under Title 38 of the United States Code. 7.Is a surviving spouse of a veteran and considered by the VA in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently house bound or a surviving child of a veteran and considered by the VA as permanently incapable of self-support under Title 38 of the United States Code. 8.Is a surviving spouse or surviving child of a veteran and considered by the VA entitled to compensation for a service-connected death or pension benefits for a non-service-connected death under Title 38 of the United States Code and has a disability considered permanent. Entitled refers to a surviving spouse and surviving children who are receiving the compensation or pension benefits stated or have been approved for such payments but are not yet receiving them. 9.Is in receipt of a Railroad Retirement disability annuity and has been determined to qualify for Medicare. 10.Is in receipt of SSI optional or mandatory supplementation. (North Dakota does not have SSI optional or mandatory supplementation. However, someone moving to North Dakota may have received this benefit from another state.) 11. Is in receipt of disability-based State general assistance benefits, provided that the eligibility to receive any of these benefits is based upon disability or blindness criteria established by the state they receive the benefit from, which are at least as stringent as those used under SSI regulations. (North Dakota does not have disability-based State general assistance benefits. However, someone moving to North Dakota may have received this benefit from another state.) member, and the substantial lottery/gambling winnings threshold.

Read Release 26.7 (opens in a new window) | View full release history

Previous changes

Release 26.6 - Effective August 13, 2026: postponed verification Third-party information or documentation used to establish the accuracy of statements., alien-resource treatment, dependent A person who relies on another for support. care, unclear information, and new application Filing a signed Application for Assistance via paper application or through the self-service portal of the eligibility system to establish eligibility and assign a review period./change-processing procedures.
Release 26.5 - Effective June 15, 2026: qualifying and non-qualifying Employment & Training components.

Resources for North Dakota Individuals and Families
Apply for Help Apply online or manage your case in the Self-Service Portal.	North Dakota SNAP Find resources on how benefits are received, income limits and more.	Health & Human Services Find additional news and resources from North Dakota Health & Human Services.

Resources for Human Service Zone Staff
Zone Dashboard Find the latest news and resources.	Learning and Development Find system and policy resources and training.	SNAP EA Insider Find the latest SNAP news and resources.
E-Forms Find fillable state forms.

Last published September 23, 2026

Current Release: 26.6 — Effective August 13, 2026

Current content update: September 23, 2026 — Sections 502 and 604.

Current PDF — PDF/print copies are point-in-time references; use the published online manual for current policy.

View the latest updates in the Release Log.

Printing the manual material found at this website for long-term use is not advisable. Department Policy material is updated periodically and it is the responsibility of the users to check and make sure that the policy they are researching or applying has the correct effective date for their circumstances.