How to Request a SNAP Appeal or Fair Hearing in New Jersey

If you live in New Jersey and disagree with a decision about your SNAP (food stamp) benefits, you usually have the right to ask for an appeal or fair hearing. This article explains, in plain language, how SNAP appeals and fair hearings typically work in New Jersey and how to move forward through official state channels.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an independent information site. It is not a government agency, does not run SNAP, and cannot take appeals or applications. For any official action, you will need to contact New Jersey’s SNAP agency or your local county welfare agency directly.

SNAP Appeals and Fair Hearings in New Jersey: The Basics

In New Jersey, SNAP is usually handled through your County Board of Social Services or County Welfare Agency. If that office makes a decision that affects your SNAP, you will typically receive a written notice.

You may be able to request an appeal or fair hearing if you disagree with decisions involving:

• Denial of your SNAP application
• Reduction in benefit amount
• Termination (stopping) of benefits
• Overpayment claims and repayment demands
• Sanctions or penalties
• Delays in processing your application or recertification

An appeal or fair hearing is your chance to have an impartial state hearing officer review what happened and decide whether the agency followed the rules.

Key Deadlines for SNAP Appeals in New Jersey

Time limits are very important. While exact rules can change, New Jersey typically uses timelines like:

Because rules can change and can vary based on your exact situation, it’s important to read your notice carefully. The back of the form or a second page often explains:

• How many days you have to appeal
• Where to send your appeal request
• Whether you can keep your benefits during the appeal (called “aid continuing”)

If you are unsure, you can call your local county welfare agency or the New Jersey SNAP information line and ask about appeal deadlines for your specific notice.

Step 1: Review Your SNAP Notice Carefully

When New Jersey makes a decision about your SNAP, the notice usually includes:

• What decision was made (approved, denied, reduced, stopped, etc.)
• The reason for the decision (income too high, missing information, etc.)
• The effective date of the change or action
• Your appeal rights, including how to request a fair hearing
• Deadlines for appealing

⭐ Tip: Keep the original notice. You may need:

• The date on the notice
• Your case number
• The name of the worker or office
• Exact wording of the reason they gave

These details help you explain your case and show that you are filing your appeal on time.

Step 2: Decide Whether to Ask for a Fair Hearing

You can typically request a SNAP appeal in New Jersey if you believe:

• The agency miscalculated your income or household size
• They didn’t count your expenses correctly (like rent, utilities, or certain medical expenses)
• They lost or ignored documents you submitted
• They applied a rule incorrectly or unfairly
• Your case was closed or benefits cut without proper reason or notice
• There was an unreasonable delay in processing your application or recertification

If the issue is something simple—like a missing pay stub or a form you forgot to return—you might first try to talk with your caseworker or their supervisor to fix the problem informally. However, an informal discussion does not extend your appeal deadline. If you’re close to a deadline, it is often safer to:

1. File the hearing request on time, and
2. Continue talking with the office to see if they can correct the issue before the hearing.

If the issue is resolved, you can usually withdraw your hearing request later if you choose.

Step 3: How to Request a SNAP Fair Hearing in New Jersey

New Jersey generally allows you to request a SNAP fair hearing in several ways. Exact options can change, so always check your notice or call your county office to confirm.

Common methods include:

1. In Writing (Strongly Recommended)

This can be:

• A letter you write yourself
• A completed hearing request form included with your notice (if provided)

Your written request should include:

• Your full name
• Your mailing address and phone number
• Your case number or client ID (found on your notice or benefit card paperwork)
• The program (SNAP / food assistance)
• A brief statement like:
  • “I disagree with the decision in the notice dated [date] and am requesting a fair hearing.”
• Whether you want to continue benefits during the appeal, if the notice says your benefits will change

Send or deliver this to the address listed on your notice. This may be:

• Your County Board of Social Services / Welfare Agency, or
• A state hearing office address listed in the notice

📌 Keep a copy of your letter and any proof of mailing or delivery (such as certified mail receipt, fax confirmation, or a stamped copy if you hand-deliver).

2. By Phone

Some New Jersey offices may accept hearing requests by phone. The phone number is often printed on your notice.

If you call:

• Write down the date and time of the call
• Write down the name of the person you spoke with
• Ask if they can send you written confirmation that your hearing request was received

Even if you call, many advocates recommend following up in writing whenever possible.

3. In Person

You can typically go to your local county welfare agency/board of social services and:

• Tell them you want to request a SNAP fair hearing
• Ask if there is a form you can fill out
• Request a copy of anything you sign

This can be helpful if you need assistance with understanding your notice or if you have questions about deadlines.

Step 4: Decide About “Aid Continuing” (Keeping Benefits During the Appeal)

If New Jersey is reducing or ending your SNAP benefits and you request a hearing within the timeframe listed on your notice (often 10 days), you may have the right to keep your current benefit level until:

• A hearing officer makes a decision, or
• Your certification period ends, whichever comes first

However:

• If you lose the hearing, you might have to repay the extra benefits you received during the appeal period.
• If you miss the tight “aid continuing” deadline, you may still appeal, but your benefits may be reduced or stopped while you wait for the decision.

It is important to read your notice or ask your local county office exactly how “aid continuing” works in your case.

Step 5: Gather Documents and Evidence

Once you request a fair hearing, start collecting any documents that support your position. Useful items might include:

• Notices from the county (approval, denial, change notices)
• Pay stubs or proof of income
• Proof of expenses, such as:
  • Rent or mortgage statements
  • Utility bills
  • Child care bills
  • Medical expenses (for eligible household members)
• Bank statements, if they relate to what the agency decided
• Copies of forms you submitted, like:
  • Your SNAP application
  • Recertification forms
  • Change reports
• Letters or email printouts between you and the agency
• Any written explanation from your employer, landlord, or service provider, if relevant

You can usually request to see your case file and get copies of documents the county used. Ask your caseworker or county office how to review your file before the hearing.

⭐ Tip: Organize your papers by date and type, and make two sets:

• One for you
• One for the hearing officer (and for the agency’s representative, if required)

Step 6: What Happens at a New Jersey SNAP Fair Hearing

A SNAP fair hearing in New Jersey is usually:

• Less formal than a court, but still official
• Conducted by a hearing officer or Administrative Law Judge who is separate from your local agency
• Held in person, by phone, or sometimes by video, depending on the state’s procedures and your situation

During the hearing, usually:

1. The hearing officer will explain the process.
2. The agency representative may explain:
   • What decision was made
   • Why it was made
   • What evidence or rules they used
3. You (and your representative, if you have one) can:
   • Tell your side of the story
   • Present documents and evidence
   • Question (cross-examine) the agency’s witnesses
   • Bring your own witnesses, if helpful
4. The hearing officer may ask both sides clarifying questions.

After the hearing:

• The hearing officer will issue a written decision.
• The decision will usually explain:
  • What facts they accepted
  • What rules or regulations they applied
  • Whether the agency’s decision is upheld, changed, or reversed
• You should receive the decision by mail.

If the decision is in your favor, the agency may be required to:

• Restore lost benefits for certain past months, or
• Correct your case going forward

If you lose, the original decision generally stands, and if you received aid continuing, you might owe repayment for the extra benefits.

Step 7: Getting Help With a SNAP Appeal in New Jersey

You do not have to go through a SNAP appeal alone. In New Jersey, people often seek help from:

• Legal aid or legal services organizations
• Nonprofit advocacy groups focused on hunger, poverty, or public benefits
• Community-based organizations that help with benefits forms and hearings

You can:

• Call 2-1-1 (United Way/211) and ask about legal help for SNAP appeals or public benefits advocacy.
• Ask your local county welfare office if they know about free legal resources in your area.
• Look for “legal services” or “legal aid” in New Jersey through official directories.

If you find an attorney or advocate, they may help you:

• Understand your rights and options
• Prepare evidence and organize paperwork
• Represent you at the fair hearing or help you represent yourself

Common Reasons SNAP Cases Are Denied or Changed in New Jersey

Knowing common problem areas can help you prepare a stronger appeal:

• Missing documents: Income verification, proof of rent, or other paperwork not provided on time.
• Incorrect income calculations: Wrong pay amounts, missing pay periods, or overtime treated incorrectly.
• Not counting deductions: Rent, utilities, medical, or dependent care expenses not recognized.
• Household composition issues: People counted or not counted in your SNAP household incorrectly.
• Missed interviews or appointments: Phone or in-person interviews missed without rescheduling.
• Failure to return recertification or review forms: Benefits can end if forms are not returned on time.
• Overpayment claims: The agency believes you were paid more than you should have received.

If one of these applies in your case, your appeal may focus on showing that:

• You did submit required information (with proof), or
• There was a mistake in the way information was recorded or interpreted, or
• There were good reasons (like documented emergencies) for missing a step, where the rules allow flexibility.

Alternatives if You Do Not Qualify or Lose Your SNAP Appeal

If you are not eligible for SNAP or you lose your appeal and cannot receive benefits, you might still find help through other resources:

• Food pantries and food banks: Local nonprofits and faith-based organizations often provide free groceries.
• Soup kitchens or community meals: Some organizations serve cooked meals at no cost.
• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children): For eligible pregnant/postpartum people and young children, separate from SNAP.
• School meal programs: Free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch for eligible students.
• Senior nutrition programs: Meals on Wheels or congregate meals for older adults.

To find resources near you:

• Call 2-1-1 and ask for food assistance or emergency food in your county.
• Ask your county welfare office if they have a local resource list.
• Search for “food bank” + your New Jersey county to identify large regional organizations.

How to Make Sure You’re Using an Official Channel (Avoiding Scams)

When dealing with SNAP appeals in New Jersey, it’s important to confirm that you are interacting with official government offices:

• Use contact information from:
  • Official state government websites, or
  • Notices you received by mail from your county welfare office.
• Be cautious of:
  • Websites that ask for payment or fees to file SNAP applications or appeals.
  • People who contact you out of the blue asking for your full Social Security number, EBT PIN, or banking details.
• For confirmation:
  • Call your County Board of Social Services using a phone number listed on the county or state government website, or
  • Call the New Jersey SNAP or public assistance hotline published by the state.

Remember:
HowToGetAssistance.org only provides informational guidance. To apply for SNAP, check your case, or file an appeal or fair hearing request, you must use the official New Jersey benefits portal, SNAP hotline, or your local county welfare agency.