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Let someone you trust handle your Medicaid and SNAP letters

When you are sick, in the hospital or just worn out, a missed renewal form can end your coverage. Federal rules let you name a person you trust, or an organization, to handle it with you. This page says what that person can do and how to name them. It asks you nothing and sends nothing.

Medicaid: an authorized representative

Your state must let you name one. You can do it when you apply or at any time after. You can let them:

Naming them takes your signature. The state must accept it the same ways it accepts an application: online, by phone, by mail or in person. It must accept a signature recorded on the phone, signed online, or signed by hand and faxed or sent electronically.

If a court made someone your guardian, or you signed a power of attorney, the state must treat that as naming them.

It lasts until you change it or tell the agency to stop, or the person tells the agency they are no longer acting for you. The person must keep your information private and is responsible for what you let them do.

Source: 42 CFR 435.923 and 42 CFR 435.907(a), read 2026-10-28.

SNAP (food stamps): three kinds of help

To apply and report changes. An adult outside your household who knows your situation well enough. You, your spouse or another responsible member of the household names them in writing. They can also report changes in income during the year and fill in work registration forms.

To get your benefits. You can name someone to get your benefits for you, even if you can do it yourself, in case you get sick. It can be the same person or someone else. The state writes the name in your case file.

To shop. You can let anyone, in or out of your household, use your EBT card to buy food for your household.

Know this first: if the person gives the state wrong information and you get more SNAP than you should, your household can be asked to pay it back. Most state SNAP workers and stores that take SNAP cannot be your representative, unless the state approves because no one else can.

Source: 7 CFR 273.2(n), paragraphs (1) to (4), read 2026-10-28.

How to do it

1. Ask your state Medicaid or SNAP office for its authorized representative form. Many states have one, and some put it on the application. Use it if they have it.

2. If you cannot get the form, print the note below, fill it in by hand and sign it. Send or take it to the office, and keep a copy. Ask the office to confirm it is in your file, and write down who you spoke to and the date.

3. Tell the person you named to watch for your letters, especially a renewal form or a request for papers. I got a letter. How long do I have?

A note to name your representative

To: the (state) Medicaid / SNAP office

My name: Date of birth:

Case number, if I have one:

I name (phone ) as my authorized representative for:

  • [  ] Medicaid: to sign applications, fill in and send renewal forms, get copies of my notices, and act for me with the agency (42 CFR 435.923)
  • [  ] SNAP: to apply and report changes for my household (7 CFR 273.2(n)(1))
  • [  ] SNAP: to get my benefits (7 CFR 273.2(n)(2))

This lasts until I tell the office in writing that it has ended.

My signature: Date:

Representative's signature:

This page explains federal rules. It is education, not legal advice. Your state office decides, and its own form comes first. If your Medicaid was cut or denied: ask for a fair hearing. Facing the work rule: keep your Medicaid. Other needs: every need, one door each.