Code of Colorado Regulations
2500 - Department of Human Services
2506 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
10 CCR 2506-1 - RULE MANUAL VOLUME 4, SNAP
Section 10 CCR 2506-1-4.130 - USING SNAP BENEFITS

Universal Citation: 10 CO Code Regs 2506-1, ยง 4.130

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 17, September 10, 2024

SNAP benefits received by an eligible household may be used at any time by the household or other persons whom the household selects to purchase eligible food for the household. SNAP benefits are issued through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system in which benefit allotments are stored on an electronic benefit transfer card and used to purchase authorized items at a point-of-sale (POS) terminal. EBT cards shall be presented only to retailers authorized by USDA/FNS to accept food benefit payment for food purchases.

SNAP benefits must be used to pay for food currently purchased and cannot be used to pay for foods previously or subsequently secured or to pay back bills owed the grocer. The only exceptions are that SNAP benefits may be used to pay for food items such as milk or bakery goods that are delivered to the home on a regular basis, or for advance payment to a non-profit cooperative food venture when food purchased is to be delivered later.

A. Expungement

1. Upon approval of benefits, SNAP recipients are provided information in writing that any SNAP benefits issued to the EBT card that are unused after nine (9) months (274 days) will be expunged and removed from the account.

2. Upon approval of benefits, SNAP recipients are provided information in writing that if the EBT account goes inactive (no food purchases or returns) after nine (9) months (274 days), the inactive SNAP benefits will be considered expunged and removed from the account.

4.130.1 WHERE HOUSEHOLDS CAN USE SNAP BENEFITS

A. Specified persons may use their SNAP benefits to purchase meals from the following:
1. A meal delivery service approved by the USDA, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS);

2. A communal dining facility for persons aged sixty (60) years and older and/or SSI households;

3. An authorized drug or alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation center;

4. An authorized public or private, nonprofit group living arrangement facility; and

5. A shelter for battered women and children.

B. Households containing persons experiencing homelessness shall be permitted to use their benefits to purchase prepared meals from an authorized public or private nonprofit provider for persons experiencing homelessness. A meal provider for persons experiencing homelessness means a public or private non-profit establishment, including, but not limited to, soup kitchens and temporary shelters which feed persons experiencing homelessness. To be considered a meal provider to persons experiencing homelessness, the meal provider must be approved as such by the USDA, FNS.

Households containing persons experiencing homelessness may also purchase meals from restaurants if the restaurant offers discounts to or serves food to households containing persons experiencing homelessness at concessional (reduced) prices, and the restaurant is authorized by the USDA, FNS as a retailer.

4.130.2 ELIGIBLE FOODS

Households can only purchase eligible foods with SNAP benefits. Eligible foods include:

A. Any food or food product intended for human consumption, except for alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and hot food, including hot food products prepared by the retailer and sold at above room temperature for immediate consumption.

B. Seeds and plants to grow foods for personal consumption by eligible household members.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Colorado may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.