- The food stamps program is a government-run service that is usually handled by a local Health and Welfare Department. An applicant has to go to the offices and request a food stamp application form. The form will ask for the social security numbers of everyone living with you, their income, what kind of car you own and how much it is worth, information on your assets such as stocks and your expenses. This application must be completed, or the applicant will be denied immediately.
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When the application is done, it will be handed over to a case worker. He will review your case to decide if you are eligible for food stamps. Some of the things a case worker looks for is if your income greatly exceeds your expenses, if you have an able-bodied person in your household who can work and doesn't and if you have assets that could raise your income level.
The case worker will call the applicant in for an interview to confirm the information on the application. She will also run a background check to make sure that the information is correct. - When the case worker determines that you are able to receive food stamps, you will be given a pre-determined balance on an electronic food stamp card. This card works just like a debit card but only works for food items. You will be able to choose a PIN number to use with the card. It will not work without the PIN.
- There are some rules that a food stamp card carrier must follow. First, the balance on the card cannot be traded for cash. Second, the card must be used for items that are sold cold. You will usually have to pay cash for hot items. Third, if you use all of the money on your card, you will have to pay the remaining balance due at the checkout with your own money.
