The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, process just got easier and more accessible to the people of Guam.  

The Department of Public Health and Social Services Bureau of Economic Security of the Division of Public Welfare announced, in addition to the removal of the Mayor’s Verification previously announced last year, Bank Statements and a School Verification will no longer be required to qualify for the SNAP program.

The following will be the only required documents effective immediately.

Category

Examples

Identity

Passport, Driver’s License, Guam ID, etc.

Proof of Citizenship

Birth Certificate, Passport, Permanent Residency Card, etc.

Proof of Earned Income

A 30-day history of employment for those

who have been gainfully employed, such as one full month of check stubs received before turning in your application, Verification of Employment (if it is a new job or no longer working at that job) that specifically states your rate of pay, hours per week or pay period, pay frequency and pay dates.

 

If self-employed: Filed gross receipt/1040 Form, and/or statement of self-employment earnings.

Proof of Unearned Income

Child Support, alimony, statement from friends or relatives who provide you financial support (how much and how often) Annuity/pension statements, GovGuam Retirement statements, Veteran’s Award Letter, Alimony records, etc.

Residency

GHURA Tenant Summary, lease agreement, rent receipt, mortgage payments, Utility Bill, Voter registration, employers statement, official, tax records, Guam Driver’s license, Guam ID, etc.

Guardianship

Legal guardianship or child custody court documents.

Additional documents may be requested by the BES on a case-by-case basis.

If a beneficiary intends to claim the shelter or deductible expenses it has to be verified, meaning applicants need prove to allow the deduction claimed on the application. 

If someone does not have any bills in their names, then a statement of Living Arrangement (SOLA) and the following should be submitted: Power Bill, Water/Sewer Bill, Cooking Fuel Bill, Trash Bill, and Telephone Bill (landline or cell/prepaid not allowed.

If the BES has an applicant’s current photo I.D. or proof of citizenship on file, the applicant will not be required to submit those documents.

Following the release of the reports, DPHSS Acting Director Theresa Arriola would like to assure the community that the DPHSS is immediately taking corrective measures. 

“Although the FY2023 report shows Guam being at one of the highest in SNAP Payment and Case and Procedural error rates, I would like to inform our people that we are taking strides towards improvement,” said Acting Director Arriola. 

“FNS has informed me that, for the first quarter of FY2024, Guam’s error rate has improved and is moving in the right direction,” Arriola added.