Even if your food benefits were stopped, there may be a way to get them back
without starting over. Answer two quick questions to find out.
Social Worker View
Post-termination reinstatement is available under Kentucky DCBS policy.
Source: KY DCBS Operations Manual, Vol. II, MS 6520 (R.08/21/23).
Two windows apply depending on whether the original application was timely.
Step 1 of 2
Step 2 of 2
You may be able to get them back without reapplying
Return your documents by
Your case can be reactivated. You do not have to start over.
Return your paperwork as soon as you can.
Your benefits restart from the day your papers arrive —
not from the first of the month.
Call (855) 306-8959 and tell them you want to reactivate
your case. Do not say you want to apply — say reactivate.
Social worker note — Case reactivation
Source: KY DCBS Operations Manual, Vol. II, MS 6520 (R.08/21/23).
Case is reactivated as an application. Benefits are prorated from the date
verification is received. Household does not have to reapply.
Two scenarios — window start date differs:
Timely application, verification late:
Window = 30 days after end of certification period.
Untimely application, verification late:
Window = 30 days from date of discontinuance.
The deadline shown to the client is calculated from the date benefits stopped,
which is accurate for untimely applications and within one day for timely
applications (cert period end is the last day of the prior month).
Verify the exact reference date in kynect before advising.
The reactivation window has passed
You will need to submit a new application. This starts the process over.
If you think your benefits were stopped by mistake, you may still be able
to appeal. You have 90 days from the date on your notice to request a fair hearing.
Both the timely (30 days after cert-period end) and untimely (30 days from
discontinuance) windows have passed. A full reapplication is required.
A fair hearing remains available for 90 days from the notice date if the
client believes the termination was in error. These are not mutually exclusive —
client can reapply and request a hearing simultaneously.
You can ask for a review
If you think your food benefits were stopped by mistake, you have the right
to ask for a Fair Hearing. At a Fair Hearing, someone new reviews your case.
They were not part of the first decision.
You have 90 days from the date on your notice to ask for one.
The sooner you ask, the better.
How to ask
Call your case worker or
(855) 306-8959
and say you want to request a Fair Hearing. You can also ask in writing.
What to bring
Your notice, your papers, and anything that shows your income or household size.
You can bring someone with you — a family member, a social worker,
or someone from legal aid.
Free legal help
Legal Aid of the Bluegrass:
859-431-8200
(Mon–Thu 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Fri 10 a.m.–1 p.m. ET)
Window: 90 days from the notice date — not the termination date.
Written requests are also valid; document and date-stamp if submitting by mail or in person.
Nationally, approximately 17% of SNAP terminations involve state error
(USDA CAPER data). Do not assume the termination was correct before
reviewing the case record.
Complex cases: Contact Stephanie Langguth at
Legal Aid of the Bluegrass (Covington office) for complex fair hearing matters.
Your food benefits are still active
Good. But keep an eye on your review date so they do not stop.