If you are having troubles making ends meet and need assistance to buy food for your family, look to the federally funded food stamps program. This program can give you a monthly allowance in the form of food stamps for healthy foods that you use at your grocery store. Learn how to apply for food stamps in Georgia.

Ensure the well being of your family when you have financial constraints by applying to receive food stamp. The food stamps program, also known as SNAP, can provide your family with fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products and protein that is needed to sustain a healthy lifestyle. You can apply for food stamps in Georgia both online and in person at a DFCS office.

To qualify for food stamps assistance, you must meet income and resource limitation requirements, and meet

Basic Requirements Include:

1. U.S. Citizen or Legal Alien
2. Have no more than $2,000 in available resources such as money in your checking and savings accounts. For homes with someone over 60 or who is disabled, you can have no more than $3,000 in available resources.
3. You must be working, or participating in a workforce employment or training program, or you benefits may be limited to a short period of time like 3 months
4. Have a maximum income of 165% of the Federal Poverty Line:
   1. Family Size of 1: Maximum Gross Income of $1,174
   2. Family Size of 2: Maximum Gross Income of $1,579
   3. Family Size of 3: Maximum Gross Income of $1,984
   4. Family Size of 4: Maximum Gross Income of $2,389http://www.fns.usda.gov/FSP/applicant_recipients/eligibility.htm

In Georgia, you can apply for food stamps online at Georgia COMPASS service. You can also apply in person at the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) office. You can find your local DFCS office at the Department of Human Resources for Georgia website. Most DFCS offices are open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. http://www.dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHR-DFCS/menuitem.5d32235bb09bde9a50c8798dd03036a0/?vgnextoid=024a2b48d9a4ff00VgnVCM100000bf01010aRCRD

Make sure to have the following items handy when you apply for food stamps in Georgia:

1. Identity Proof such as your driver’s license
2. Citizenship proof such as your birth certificate
3. Social Security number
4. Rent or Mortgage proof
5. Prior month’s utility bills
6. Medical bills for anyone over 60 or disabled
7. Educational expenses if appropriate
8. Child care expenseshttp://www.dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHR-DFCS/menuitem.5d32235bb09bde9a50c8798dd03036a0/?vgnextoid=024a2b48d9a4ff00VgnVCM100000bf01010aRCRD

After you fill out your application, it will be reviewed and you will be given an answer within 30 days off your application. For some cases, you will hear within 5 days.

If you are approved for SNAP food stamp benefits in Georgia, you will be told how much your monthly allotment will be.

The maximum benefits are:

1. Family Size of 1: $200
2. Family Size of 2: $367
3. Family Size of 3: $526
4. Family Size of 4: $668http://www.fns.usda.gov/FSP/applicant_recipients/eligibility.htm

Understand that your benefits will be calculated based on your specific financial situation and may be much lower than the maximum benefits listed above.

You monthly allotment can be used on items such as:

1. Breads and Cereal
2. Meat, Poultry and Fish
3. Dairy Items
4. Fruits and Vegetables
5. Seeds or plants to produce your own fresh foodshttp://www.fns.usda.gov/FSP/retailers/eligible.htm

You cannot use your allotment on:

1. Alcohol or tobacco products
2. Nonfood Items
3. Medicine (including vitamins)
4. Prepared foodshttp://www.fns.usda.gov/FSP/retailers/eligible.htm

In addition to a financial allotment, you are eligible for nutrition and active lifestyle choices classes.