What are emergency food stamps?

Emergency food stamps are Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits that are received within seven days of an application being submitted. To qualify for emergency food stamps, the applicant must meet one of three criteria proving financial distress.

To be eligible for emergency assistance, as of 2015, the applicant must have an income less than $150 a month with less than $100 in the bank; have less income and money in the bank than his housing costs; or be a migrant worker with less than $100 in the bank. The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides a map on its food and nutrition services website to help users locate local offices where those in need can apply for benefits.