SNAP (Food Assistance) After Relocation
SNAP is administered at the state level, but federal rules apply everywhere. When you move to a new state, you need to apply in your new state. Your previous state's benefits will end when you establish residency elsewhere.
No waiting period. States cannot impose a residency waiting period for SNAP. Federal law prohibits any state from requiring you to have lived there for a certain length of time before applying.
What to bring to your new state SNAP office:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Proof of your new address (a shelter address works if you are staying at a domestic violence shelter)
- Proof of income or a statement that you have no income
- Social Security numbers for all household members applying
If you are staying at a domestic violence shelter, the shelter address is an acceptable residence. You do not need to disclose your home address on the application if doing so would put you at safety risk.
Income limits for SNAP (2025-2026):
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit | Annual Limit |
|---|
| 1 | $2,311 | $27,732 |
| 2 | $3,124 | $37,488 |
| 3 | $3,938 | $47,256 |
| 4 | $4,751 | $57,012 |
| 5 | $5,564 | $66,768 |
| 6 | $6,378 | $76,536 |
These limits are set at 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. Many states also have a net income limit and asset limits, though many states have eliminated or raised the asset limit.
Medicaid After Moving to a New State
Medicaid is one of the most critical benefits for domestic violence survivors, covering physical health needs, mental health treatment, and emergency care. Like SNAP, Medicaid is state-administered with federal minimums.
Applying in your new state. When you move, your Medicaid from the previous state ends. You need to apply in your new state as soon as possible. Most states cannot impose a waiting period on Medicaid for income-eligible individuals.
Special enrollment period. Under the Affordable Care Act, domestic violence survivors qualify for a 60-day Special Enrollment Period for marketplace health insurance. If you do not qualify for Medicaid in your new state, this gives you a window to enroll in a subsidized marketplace plan even outside open enrollment.
Income limits for Medicaid (2025-2026 in expansion states):
| Household Size | Monthly Income Limit (138% FPL) | Annual Limit |
|---|
| 1 | $1,732 | $20,784 |
| 2 | $2,342 | $28,104 |
| 3 | $2,953 | $35,436 |
| 4 | $3,563 | $42,756 |
| 5 | $4,173 | $50,076 |
Note: 10 states have not expanded Medicaid. In those states, adults without children may face stricter income limits or may not qualify at all. Children's Medicaid (CHIP) is available in all states up to higher income thresholds.
What to bring when applying:
- Proof of identity
- Proof of state residency (shelter address is acceptable)
- Proof of income (or a declaration of zero income if applicable)
- Social Security numbers for household members
In most states, you can apply online at your new state's Medicaid agency website, by phone, or in person. You can also apply through the federal marketplace at healthcare.gov, which will screen you for Medicaid.
Housing Assistance: VAWA Protections and Section 8 Portability
Housing is often the most urgent need when fleeing abuse, and federal law provides several specific protections.
VAWA Housing Protections
VAWA protects survivors in any federally assisted housing program, including:
- Public housing
- Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV)
- HUD-assisted multifamily housing
- HOME program housing
- Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties
- Rural housing programs
Under VAWA, housing providers covered by these programs cannot deny admission, terminate assistance, or evict someone because they are a survivor of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
Emergency Transfers
If you already have a Section 8 voucher and need to move for safety, you can request an emergency transfer. Your housing authority must have an emergency transfer plan. You can self-certify your situation using HUD Form HUD-5382. The housing authority is required to keep your information confidential and move quickly when safety is at risk.
Section 8 Portability: Moving Your Voucher
If you have a Housing Choice Voucher and relocate to a new state, you can take your voucher with you through a process called portability. Under VAWA, the normal one-year residency requirement in your current jurisdiction is waived if you are relocating due to domestic violence.
Steps to port your Section 8 voucher:
- Contact your current housing authority and explain you need to move for safety reasons
- Request a portability packet and mention your VAWA protections
- Your current housing authority contacts the receiving housing authority in your new state
- The new housing authority issues you a new voucher valid in their area
- You find a qualifying unit within the timeframe given
Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs)
The federal Emergency Housing Voucher program specifically targets people fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. EHVs are distributed through local Public Housing Authorities. Contact your local housing authority or call 211 to find out if EHVs are available in your new area.
Domestic Violence Shelters
If you need immediate housing, domestic violence shelters provide emergency shelter and can also help you navigate benefits applications. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) can connect you to local shelter resources anywhere in the country.
TANF (Cash Assistance) and the Family Violence Option
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides cash assistance to low-income families with children. Like SNAP and Medicaid, there is no residency waiting period to apply.
Family Violence Option (FVO). 48 states and the District of Columbia have adopted the Family Violence Option, which allows caseworkers to waive TANF program requirements for survivors, including:
- Work requirements
- The 5-year lifetime limit on benefits
- Child support cooperation requirements (cooperating with child support against an abuser can sometimes increase danger)
When you apply for TANF in your new state, you can disclose that you are a domestic violence survivor and request a screening under the FVO. You are not required to disclose, but doing so can unlock waivers that make it easier to access and keep benefits while you stabilize your situation.
TANF income limits vary significantly by state. Most states cap benefits well below the poverty line. The purpose of TANF is transitional assistance, not long-term income replacement.
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
WIC provides food assistance and health support for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under age 5. If you or your children qualify, you can transfer WIC benefits when you move.
Before you leave your current state, ask your WIC clinic for a Verification of Certification (VOC) form. This document proves you were already certified and allows your new state to continue your benefits without starting the eligibility process from scratch.
If you did not get a VOC form, you can still apply in your new state. You will go through the standard eligibility determination, but there is no penalty for having been in another state's WIC program.
WIC income limits (2025-2026):
| Household Size | Annual Income Limit (185% FPL) |
|---|
| 1 | $27,861 |
| 2 | $37,814 |
| 3 | $47,767 |
| 4 | $57,720 |
| 5 | $67,674 |
| 6 | $77,627 |
To apply, contact the WIC office in your new state or find a clinic at wic.fns.usda.gov.
ACA Marketplace Health Insurance
If you do not qualify for Medicaid in your new state, the ACA marketplace is your next option. Domestic violence survivors qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, giving you 60 days to enroll even outside of open enrollment (which normally runs November through January).
Subsidies are available for households earning between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. In recent years, enhanced subsidies have extended financial help to households above 400% FPL as well, depending on the plan.
You can apply at healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596.
LIHEAP (Utility Assistance)
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps with heating and cooling costs. If you are renting in your new state, you may qualify for help with utility bills. LIHEAP is administered by each state and funding is limited, so apply as soon as you are settled.
Income limits are typically set at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, though some states use higher thresholds.
Step-by-Step: What to Do When You Arrive in a New State
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Contact a local domestic violence shelter or advocate. Even if you do not need emergency housing, local advocates know the specific resources and application processes in your new state. Call 211 or 1-800-799-7233.
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Get a local address. A shelter address, a friend's address, or a P.O. Box can serve as your address for most benefit applications. You do not need to be in a permanent home.
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Apply for Medicaid first. Health coverage should be your first priority. Apply online at your state's Medicaid agency website or at healthcare.gov.
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Apply for SNAP. You can apply the same day you arrive. Look up your new state's SNAP office or apply online if the state allows it.
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Contact your housing authority about your voucher. If you have a Section 8 voucher, call your current housing authority immediately and start the portability process.
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Apply for TANF if you have children or are pregnant. Disclose your survivor status if you are comfortable doing so, and ask about FVO waivers.
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Transfer WIC if applicable. If you have a VOC form, bring it to the nearest WIC clinic.
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Check your eligibility with Benefits Navigator. Use the free screener at /screener to see all programs you may qualify for in your new state, including state-specific programs that are not covered in this guide.
Documentation: What You Need and What You Do Not
One common concern for survivors is that they may not have all their documents. Here is what most programs will and will not require:
| Document | SNAP | Medicaid | TANF | WIC | Section 8 |
|---|
| Photo ID | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Social Security Number | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Proof of address | Yes (shelter OK) | Yes (shelter OK) | Yes (shelter OK) | Yes (shelter OK) | Yes (shelter OK) |
| Proof of income | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Proof of abuse | No | No | No | No | Self-certify |
You do not need a police report, protective order, or any official documentation of abuse to apply for SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, or WIC. For VAWA housing protections, you self-certify using HUD Form HUD-5382, which does not require external verification unless your housing provider has conflicting information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for benefits the same day I arrive in a new state?
Yes. There is no waiting period for SNAP or Medicaid based on how long you have lived in a state. You can apply on your first day. For TANF, most states process applications within 30 days, with some states providing emergency payments sooner.
Do I have to disclose that I am a domestic violence survivor to get benefits?
No. Disclosure is voluntary for most programs. You may choose to disclose to access specific waivers, like the Family Violence Option in TANF, or to expedite housing transfers under VAWA, but you are not required to disclose to receive SNAP, Medicaid, or WIC.
What if I left without my ID or Social Security card?
You can request a replacement Social Security card for free at ssa.gov. For photo ID, many states offer free or reduced-fee IDs and have expedited processes for domestic violence survivors. Local advocates can help you navigate replacement document programs.
Can my abuser find out I applied for benefits in a new state?
Federal programs have strong confidentiality rules. For housing programs, VAWA specifically requires housing providers to protect survivor information and prohibits disclosure without your consent. For SNAP and Medicaid, caseworkers are bound by confidentiality rules. If you have concerns, tell your caseworker you are a domestic violence survivor and ask specifically about confidentiality protections.
Does my immigration status affect eligibility?
For U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, all programs described in this guide are available. For other immigration statuses, eligibility varies by program. VAWA also created separate immigration protections and pathways for noncitizen survivors, which may affect benefits eligibility. Contact an immigration attorney or advocate for guidance specific to your situation.
What if the new state has not expanded Medicaid?
If your new state has not expanded Medicaid, adults without children may not qualify for Medicaid based on income alone. In that case, you may qualify for marketplace health insurance with subsidies. The domestic violence Special Enrollment Period (60 days) applies to marketplace plans regardless of the state. You can also look for local community health centers that provide sliding-scale care regardless of insurance status.
Can I use a domestic violence shelter as my address for benefits applications?
Yes. A shelter address is an acceptable address for SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, and WIC applications. For Section 8, a shelter address can also be used. The shelter may also have staff who can help you apply for multiple programs at once.
How long does it take to get approved?
SNAP emergency applications can be processed within 7 days for households with very low resources. Regular SNAP applications must be processed within 30 days. Medicaid applications typically take 45 days (or 90 days if disability determination is required). TANF applications must generally be decided within 30 days. WIC can often be certified on the same day as your appointment.
Use the free eligibility screener at /screener to check which programs you qualify for based on your income, household size, and situation. The screener checks 11 programs at once and provides personalized next steps.
