How To Apply For Food Stamps

If you are looking for information on applying for Food assistance programs you are among many in the United States in this tough economic times, looking for help. With more Americans losing their jobs every day, the need for government assistance with feeding their families is growing tremendously. If you are one of the people in need of some help to get through these rough economic times, this page will walk you through how to apply for food stamps.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

As of October 1, 2008, the federal food stamp program changed its name to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. The name change is intended to emphasize the program's recently increased benefits and focus on good nutrition.http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/applicant_recipients/default.htm

SNAP is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. Though a federal program, it is overseen and administered by the individual states and is intended to help low-income Americans buy food for themselves and their families. Applying for food stamps is not a terribly complicated process but there are a few things that can help you as you go through the application process.http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10101.html

Food stamps are intended to help ease the burden of food cost for those with lower financial means. It is best to plan ahead to make the best of the amount of food stamps provided. Buying items to cook meals from scratch is more cost efficient than buying prepackaged foods.

How to Apply for California Food Stamps

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California Food Stamps

source: www.youtube.com

Each state has their own application process. Since California has one of the highest unemployment rates in the United States, this video will walk you through how to apply for food stamps in the state of California. Here, a representative from CaliforniaFoodStamps.net walks you through the application process from start to finish.

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility

There are several guidelines for who is eligible for food stamps. Please note that all of these guidelines apply not only to you but also to everyone living in your household.

Have or be in the process of applying for a social security card.
Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or have qualified alien status.
Be registered to work, if you are able-bodied and between the ages of 18 and 60.
Have less than $2000 in resources. (Less than $3000 if your household includes someone over the age of 60 or someone disabled)
Not exceed set income limits, which vary from year to year and state to state.http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10101.html Currently, net monthly income must be $1,838 per month for a household of four in most places, effective Oct. 1, 2009 through Sept. 30, 2010.http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/faqs.htm

Step 2: Know the Amount of Benefits You Can Receive

Benefit amounts, or allotments, are based on your household's monthly income (after deductions) and the number of people in your household. Rent and utility bills can be used as deductions on your monthly income. To find your anticipated benefit amount, multiply your monthly household income by .3 (SNAP households are expected to spend about 30% of their income on food) and then subtract the result from the applicable maximum amount shown below.http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/applicant_recipients/BEN.HTM

Single person: $200
2 people: $367
3 people: $526
4 people: $668
5 people: $793
6 people: $952
7 people: $1,052
8 people: $1,202
Each additional person over 8 qualifies for an additional $150.

Step 3: Submit an Application

SNAP applications are handled through individual state offices.

Find your local SNAP office.

Visit the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website for locations.
Check your telephone book's state or local government listings.
Call your state's SNAP hotline number.

Obtain and complete an application.

Each state has their own application which can be obtained through your local SNAP office.
Some states allow you to apply online. Check the SNAP website to determine if you can apply online in your state.
Once approved, benefits are back-dated to the date the application is received, so it is in your best interest's to get the application in as soon as possible.http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/faqs.htm

Go to an interview at your local SNAP office.

Some offices now do interviews via the telephone. You still have to take the application and any other required paperwork to the local office.
Once you are approved for food stamps, your monthly benefit will be issued to you via electronic bank transfer (EBT) and you can access them via an EBT card, which functions much the same way as a debit or credit card.
Funds are normally available within 30 days, 7 days if your income is very low.

Mahalo Food Stamp Info for Your State

Visit these Mahalo pages for information on Food Stamps in different states:

Disclaimer

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional financial advice. Please contact your financial adviser before using the information presented here.