How to Apply for Food Stamps

You can apply for food stamps at your local food stamp office or at a Social Security office.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Applications
• Social Security Cards
• Identification Cards

1. Know that food stamps are a federally funded benefit.

2. Understand that in order to be eligible, all members of your household must have social security numbers. You must all be citizens of the United States or meet special non-citizen criteria.

3. Realize that there are resource limits. Your household cannot have more than $2,000 in cash, bank accounts or other property. Your home and land do not count toward this limit. If anyone in the household is over age 60, the limit is $3,000.

4. Recognize that the amount of food stamps you are eligible for depends on the amount of your monthly household income and expenses.

5. Go to your local food stamp office (usually located in the county department of your social services or human services department) or your local federal Social Security office to obtain an application. You can pick up an application at the federal Social Security office, but you can file it there only if your entire household is applying for SSI (Social Security Income).

6. Bring identification, social security numbers, proof of income, benefits and expenses (including child care costs), and medical bills if any household member is over 60 to the office with you.

7. Receive priority processing if you are homeless.

8. Expect to learn of your eligibility within 30 days of your application.

Tips & Warnings

• Food stamps can be used at grocery stores to purchase food for your family. They are accepted as payment by the store when you meet certain purchase requirements.

• Know that you might qualify for other federal food programs: WIC (food for pregnant and nursing women and children under age five), Nutrition Program for the Elderly (food for people over age 60 available at local senior centers and from Meals on Wheels), Food Distribution Programs (for needy households), Child and Adult Care Food Programs (available at adult and child day care centers), School Lunch and Breakfast Programs (free or reduced cost meals at schools for children) and Summer Food Service Program (food and snacks for children when school is not in session).