How Much Income Can a Family Have to Get Food Stamps in Georgia?

Food stamps are a federal food assistance program that states administer and distribute to low-income families. In Georgia, the Department of Family and Children Services assesses applicants' income information to determine eligibility for food assistance. The income limits for food stamp assistance depend on the number of people living in the household.

Income Guidelines

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service provides income guidelines for those receiving food stamps. Households may have to meet gross income and net income guidelines to receive food assistance. Those with an elderly or disabled member in the household must only meet net income guidelines. The gross income limit depends on the number of members in the household. For example, the gross income limit for a household with one member is $1,174 as of January 2011. Households with more members can earn a higher gross income. The net income limit for a household with one member is $903. The state calculates the net income after allowing deductions for dependent care, shelter costs and standard deductions.

Assets

Food stamp recipients are allowed assets such as bank accounts up to $2,000; households with an elderly or disabled member can have assets up to $3,000. Family homes are not counted when determining eligibility for food assistance. Licensed vehicles may be counted as assets when considering eligibility for food stamp assistance. Vehicles not counted include those used to produce income for the family or to transport an elderly or disabled household member. The USDA does not count a vehicle as an asset if it is the family home or if a household member uses it for long distance travel for work separate from a daily commute. The USDA does count all other vehicles using the equity value or the fair market value over $4,650, as of January 2011.

Application and Interview

After an applicant files for food assistance with the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services, a staff member will schedule an interview. Applicants must provide identification and information regarding the household situation, including income, during the interview. The state will schedule a home visit or telephone interview for disabled or elderly applicants. Applicants can apply for benefits online as well.

Employment

A recipient of food stamps who is able to work and between the ages of 18 and 50 can only receive benefits for three months in a three-year period if he is not working or participating in a training or workfare program, according to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. The federal government may lift time limits for food stamp recipients during times of high unemployment or economic recession. For example, in 2009 the federal government, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, removed the time limit for food stamp recipients without dependents between April 2009 and September 2010. States may offer unemployed food stamp recipients a work activity to extend the time period restriction. Unemployed workers in Georgia may maintain eligibility for food assistance by participating in training programs. The state will determine the duration of food assistance benefits before the recipient must recertify.

References

• Georgia Department of Family and Children Services: Food Stamps
• USDA Food and Nutrition Services: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program