Food Stamps

The food stamp program, sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture, is a way of helping low-income families and individuals buy more food. Food stamps are available to any person who qualifies for the program. Because there are many rules and regulations governing eligibility for food stamps, there is no sure way to know if you are eligible until you apply at your local welfare department--the Department of Human Services. But there are some guidelines which may help you decide if you should apply.

First, you may be eligible by yourself to receive food stamps, or you may be eligible with your whole family or with a group of people who live and buy food together. You must live in the county where you apply for the food stamps.

An individual or a group applying for food stamps can't have more than a total of $2,000.00 worth of resources, that is cash savings, bank accounts, land you do not live on, or a second car. This $2,000.00 does not include your home, life insurance, household goods, or personal belongings. You cannot have a car worth more than $4,500.00 and be eligible for food stamps. If you live with one or more people who are applying for food stamps with you, and one of you is 60 or older, all of you can have up to $3,000.00 in total resources and still be eligible.

Your income must be within certain limits for you to be eligible, but you are allowed certain deductions such as an earnings deduction, standard deduction, medical costs (if you are 60 or older or receiving disability checks), and limited child care and housing costs. The number of people in your household also determines your income limits.

If you are between the ages of 18 and 64, you will probably have to register for work with the state employment security office to be eligible for food stamps. If you are unable to work because of health problems, then you may not have to work. You won't know this for sure until you apply at your local Department of Human Services Food Stamp Office.

Either you or the head of your household may apply by calling or going to your local Food Stamp Office. The office must give you an application when you ask to apply. If you are 65 or older, disabled, have no way to get to the office, or work during the day, you should call the Food Stamp Office and they must mail you an application that day when you ask to apply for food stamps. If you go to the Food Stamp Office, they must take at least the front page where you sign and list your address and phone number. Ask for help if you have any problems filling out these forms. You should receive an appointment with a case worker within 30 days after the day you turn in the front page. The Food Stamp Office must get your stamps to you within 30 days if you have given them everything they need to process your application. If you go to the Food Stamp Office and have to return for an appointment, the case worker must only have proof of how much money you get, from where, and the social security numbers for each household member. The case worker must take your word on things unless he or she can write down a good reason why not. They can ask you to prove other things only if they have a good written reason. You also have the right to look at the computer record of your case.

"Expedited" or faster service must be given to a household in need. If you qualify for expedited service, the Food Stamp Office must get you your food stamps in no more than five calendar days after you call or go to the Food Stamp Office. You may qualify for this faster service if you have less than $150.00 in gross monthly income and have $100.00 or less in liquid resources or your rent or mortgage and utilities for the month are more than the total gross income plus liquid resources or you are homeless. Special rules also apply for migrant farm workers.

If you are turned down for food stamps or if you think you haven't been treated fairly, you may file for a fair hearing. It is very important to request this fair hearing within 10 days of receiving a notice that your stamps will stop or be reduced in order to keep your benefits. You must ask for a hearing within 90 days regardless of your complaint. Your case worker should help you fill out the fair hearing request if you ask for help. The Food Stamp Office must then give you the name and address of a legal services office for free legal help. It is important to know that you can appeal any action of the Food Stamp Office.