How to Apply for Food Stamps

Many people are eligible to receive food stamp benifits from the government and may not even realize it. Learn some facts about the food stamp program and how you can apply for food stamps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Identification such as Drivers License or State I.D. or Birth Certificate or Alien Card.
• Proof of income such as Paystubs if your working or SSI or Social Security or a Pension.
• Rent receipts or Mortgage Payments and records of your utility payments.
• Proof of any child care expenses.

1. Anyone can apply for food stamps. The food stamps program is a Federal program which is ran by each individual State. To be eligible you and every other household member must have a social security number or have applied for one. Each household member must also be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. national or have status as a qualified alien. How much you will receive will depend on your households income and how many people are living in your home. Many people work full time jobs and still qualify for food stamps! So please don't think because you or another household member is employed that you will automatically be disqualified.

2. You can fill out the food stamp application at your local County D.P.S.S. office (Welfare Office) or if you are receiving or applying for SSI you can fill out the food stamp application at your local Social Security Office.

3. The food stamp application will ask you general information such as all household members names, address, social security numbers and employment information. It will also ask you for any minors names and ages.

4. The household must meet an income limit to receive food stamps. Certain things do not count as income and can be subtracted from your income. Your household may qualify for other income exclusions if it includes a person age 60 or older or disabled. The income limits vary by household size and may change each year.

5. After your food stamp application has been turned in you will be interviewed by a social worker who will ask you for proof of income from each household member such as paystubs if anyone is working or proof of any other income your household receives. If you have no income then of course no proof of income is needed. Also for each household member identification will have to be shown and records of utility bills and rent or mortgage payments. If your missing some information the social worker will let you turn it in at a later date.

6. About 3 to 4 weeks later you will be sent a letter stating if you were accepted and how many food stamps you will receive each month. If accepted you will receive an EBT card which works just like a debit card. You will use it when you do your grocery shopping.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are not employed or homeless you may want to apply for cash benifits also since you are already there applying for food stamps.
• Be sure to follow the quarterly income reporting rules which will be explained to you by the social worker. Basically what it is, is just you reporting your households current income every three months.