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Purpose

Food Stamps is a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that can help provide money for nutritious food. The program uses an easy credit card format called Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) to purchase food at retail stores and farmers markets.

Who May Be Eligible

• All US citizens (Except persons receiving SSI/SSP benefits)
• Most immigrants - Legal Permanent Residents

What Verification Is Needed

• Identification (does not need to be a picture ID)
• Social Security number
• Proof of any income
• Proof of any assets - bank accounts, stocks
• Proof of expenses - rent receipt, utility bills, childcare receipts, medical receipts

How Much Income and Resources Can I Have

• Resource maximum $2,000 or $3,000 if someone is 60 years and over
• Income depends on the number of people in your household

Household size	Maximum Gross Income	Maximum benefit amount
1	$1,174	$200
2	$1,579	$367
3	$1,984	$526
4	$2,389	$668
5	$2,794	$793
6	$3,200	$952
7	$3,605	$1,052

How to apply

You can request an application be mailed to you or simply pick one up at any of our public contact offices.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are Food Stamps?

Food Stamps are America's primary form of nutrition assistance. To alleviate the stigma associated with coupons, Food Stamps benefits are now provided via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which works just like a normal debit card.

2. Do I have to be on Public Assistance to be eligible to receive Food Stamps?

No. Many recipients of Food Stamps are employed, elderly or disabled people who need assistance purchasing nutritional food.

3. How long does it take to receive Food Stamp benefits?

If you qualify for Food Stamps, you will receive them no later than 30 days from the date the office received your application. If you have very little or no income and less than $100 in cash, you may be eligible to receive Food Stamps within 3 days.

4. What is the average benefit from the Food Stamp Program?

The average monthly benefit is about $73 per person and almost $173 per household.

5. What foods are eligible for purchase with Food Stamps?

Households can use Food Stamps to buy any food or food product for human consumption as well as seeds and plants for use in home gardens to produce food. Households cannot buy:

• Alcoholic beverages and tobacco
• Lunch counter items or food to be eaten in the store
• Vitamins and medicines
• Pet food
• Any non-food items (except seeds or plants)

6. I am a single adult without dependents; can I apply for Food Stamp benefits?

Yes.

 

What if I have questions about my Georgia Compass Card?

Call the Helpline, the Helpline is open for your questions:

TOLL FREE NUMBER: 1-800-869-1150
IN ATLANTA AREA: (404) 657-9358
 

When should I call the Helpline?

•  
  • Call IMMEDIATLY if your Georgia Compass Card is lost or stolen.
  • Call if your Compass Card is bent or otherwise damaged
  • Call when you need to know your Compass Card balance.
  • Call if you have other questions or need additional help with your Compass Card.

Website Location

How To Get FoodShare Benefits

FoodShare Wisconsin helps low-income families and individuals to buy nutritious food.  If you want to find out if you can get FoodShare benefits, you need to apply with the local county or tribal agency.  You can also apply online at  access.wi.gov.  Click on the "Apply For Benefits"  tool.  This tool will let you submit an application to the local county or tribal office.  You may also apply with your local agency in person or by telephone. 

To apply with the local county or tribal agency, you will need to call and set up a time for an interview.  To find the agency in your area go to "Where To Apply" or  call 1-800-362-3002.

If you want to see if you may be able to get FoodShare Benefits before you apply, you can use the "Am I Eligible" tool, also at access.wi.gov. 

For more information about FoodShare Wisconsin, the ForwardHealth Enrollment and Benefits Handbook - (PDF 667KB) is available in Adobe Reader's PDF format. To view PDF files, you must have Adobe Reader installed. If you do not have Adobe Reader installed, or want to know more about viewing PDF files, select the following link: Viewing PDF Files.  

To find the current FoodShare Wisconsin income limits, visit Monthly Income Limits.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs or disability.  

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The SNAP food benefits (used to be called food stamps) helps people with low incomes and resources buy the food they need for good health.

SNAP benefits are given to a single person or family who meets the program’s requirements. HHSC sends a renewal application to a family getting SNAP before the end of each benefit period. Most benefit periods last for 6 months but some can be as short as 1 month or as long as 3 years.

For most adults between the ages of 18 and 50 who do not have a child in the home, SNAP benefits are limited to 3 months in a 3-year period. The benefit period can be longer if the adult works at least 20 hours a week or is in a job or training program. Some people may not have to work to get benefits, such as those who have a disability or are pregnant.

HHSC gives SNAP benefits through the Lone Star Card. This is a plastic card that is used like a credit card at the cash register to pay for purchases. Each month, the family’s approved monthly SNAP amount is placed in the card’s account.

[SNAP Application]

Emergency SNAP Benefits

Emergency SNAP benefits are also known as expedited SNAP because the benefits are given faster to those in an emergency situation, such as:

• A family with resources worth $100 or less, and monthly income less than $150.
• A family with resources and monthly income that are less than the most recent monthly expenses for rent/mortgage and utilities.
• A family that includes a migrant or seasonal farm worker who has $100 or less in resources and very little income.

To apply for emergency SNAP, visit a HHSC benefits office or call 2-1-1.

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MAXIMUM MONTHLY SNAP AMOUNT

Family Size	Monthly SNAP Award
1	$200
2	$367
3	$526
4	$668
5	$793
6	$952
7	$1,052
8	$1,202
For each additional person, add:	$150

Who can qualify for SNAP?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly benefits that help low income households buy the food they need for good health. Eligibility criteria, income and resource limits and benefit maximums per household size are set by federal laws and regulations governing the SNAP Program under USDA. A person who meets one of the following criteria may qualify for SNAP benefits:

• Work for low wages
• Unemployed or work part-time
• Receive TANF, SSI or other assistance payments
• Elderly or disabled and live on a small income

How do I apply for SNAP?

The Application Process:

• You may request an application for SNAP benefits by phone, in person, by fax, or by mail from your county office.
• Applications for SNAP benefits are available online.
• One adult household member or authorized representative must sign the application for SNAP benefits under penalty of perjury.
• Complete as much of your application as you can. Your name, address and signature are necessary on the application to be accepted by the local SNAP office. The application will be accepted on the same day it is turned in, even if there is no interview on that day.
• When your application has been turned in, the local county office will setup an interview to go over your application. There is a list of documents you will need to bring to your interview. (See below.)
• As soon as all necessary information is provided and verified for eligibility, you will be able to receive your SNAP benefits within 30 days of your dated application.

Documents to Bring to Interview

At the time of your interview, please bring verification of your income and expenses. If you cannot get all the information together by your interview date, come for the interview because you will have additional time to provide this information. If you need assistance in obtaining this information, please discuss this with your caseworker at the time of the interview. The following are examples of what to bring:

• Proof of identity (driver's license, etc.), alien status
• Social Security Numbers for all household members
• If employed, proof of income (wage stubs, earning statements, etc.) for the previous month or last filed tax return if self-employed
• Bank statements for checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, credit union accounts, retirement accounts, stocks, bonds, dividends, etc.
• Proof of shelter costs (rent or mortgage payment, lot rent, taxes, utility bills - heat, electricity, water/sewage/garbage, telephone, etc.)

You may be asked to provide additional information based on your circumstances.

Child Support Requirements

The custodial parent in a household that includes a child under age 18, who has an absent parent, must cooperate with child support enforcement requirements to establish paternity and/or obtain support. Custodial parents and absent parents who fail to cooperate with child support enforcement will be disqualified from SNAP participation until compliance.

Finding out whether you qualify

After the interview and collection of needed information for eligibility determination, the worker will send the client a notice. If the client does not qualify for SNAP, the notice will explain why. If the client qualifies for SNAP, the notice shows the monthly benefit amount and length of the certification period.

Reporting changes in household circumstances

Households found eligible for SNAP benefits must only report when the household income meets or exceeds the current income level for the household size. The change must be reported by the tenth (10th) of the month following the month in which the change occurred. The current income level may be found on the back of the notice mailed to the client or by contacting the local county office.

Households should report a new address to avoid problems with use of their EBT card and in order to receive mail from their worker.

If the household fails to report a change and receives extra SNAP benefits, the value of these benefits will have to be repaid. The person could also be prosecuted for fraud.

Penalties

If disqualified for the intentional violation of Program rules, the first time will be for one year; the second time will be two years; and the third time will be permanent. The responsible person may also be prosecuted in court and fined and/or jailed in addition to repayment of any over-issuance amount.

Contact Information

Mississippi Department of Human Services
Division of Economic Assistance
1-800-948-3050 | (601) 359-4810

website 

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The Food Stamp Program is now called SNAP, which stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

SNAP helps individuals and families eat well and stay healthy. You don't need to be unemployed or on other assistance programs to qualify for SNAP. Even if you or someone in your household is working, you may still be eligible. The amount of help received is mostly determined by household income.

If you have questions about the program, Oregon SafeNet can explain how and where to apply, just call 1-800-723-3638 (SAFENET).

Am I eligible for SNAP (Food Stamps)?

The first step is to determine if your household income meets the guidelines. For most Oregonians, assets like a house, car or money in the bank won't count. Check the eligibility chart to see if you might qualify.

How do I apply?

Click this link for the application and print it out or pick up a copy at any DHS office. Fill in the information and turn it in at your local DHS office.

Next Steps

Once you turn in your application, the DHS office will have you talk to a caseworker. You may need to bring:

• Driver's license if available
• Social Security numbers for everyone included in the application
• Paycheck stubs or other proof of income
• For non-citizens, proof of lawful immigrant status for household members seeking benefits. 
  You can apply for just those in your family who have proof of lawful status!

Seniors & Disabled

Older adults and people with disabilities have other options. You can apply at your local Senior and People with Disabilities or Area Agency on Aging office. If you cannot go to an office, you can have another adult apply for you or ask for a home visit or a telephone interview.

Call 1-800-723-3638 (SAFENET) to find the office nearest you or check the Resource Directory

Once on the program…

You will receive an Oregon Trail EBT Card which you can use just like a bank debit card at your grocery check out.

Are there other benefits?

If you get SNAP, you may also be eligible for

• Free school meals for your children
• Oregon Telephone Assistance Program and Link-Up American to cut your phone bill
• WIC – see WIC page for more details
• Deferral of federally-funded school loans.

Other Resources

Oregon Department of Human Services SNAP (Food Stamp Program): More information about SNAP.

Oregon Helps: Confidential self-screening tool to find out about SNAP and other benefits for which you might be eligible.

Oregon Food Bank: List of food pantries for immediate food needs.

Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force: Working to eliminate hunger.

Click Here For Website

View increased benefit levels effective April 1, 2009

The Alaska Food Stamp Program provides food benefits to low-income households.  The federal government funds 100% of the Food Stamp benefit.  The State pays half the costs of operating the Food Stamp Program in Alaska.

The Division of Public Assistance issues Food Stamp benefits via the Alaska Quest card.  The amount a household receives each month depends on the household's countable income and size of the household.  Eligible households use the Food Stamp benefits to buy food products from authorized stores statewide.

Eligible applicants must pass income and assets tests.  The gross monthly income test is based on 130% of the current Alaska poverty standard. 
 
Alaska has special rules that allow for higher Food Stamp benefits in rural areas, and the use of benefits to purchase certain hunting and fishing subsistence supplies.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBILITY

Residency.  Applicants must be living in the State of Alaska to receive Food Stamp benefits from Alaska.

Age and Relationship.  There are no specific age limits to receive Food Stamp benefits.  Parents and their children 21 years old or younger living together are considered one household.  Minors who apply on their own must be living without their parents.  Individuals living together and who purchase and prepare food together are treated as one household. 

Citizenship and Social Security Numbers.  An applicant must be a U.S citizen, a U.S. National, or a qualified alien to get Food Stamp benefits.  Some legal immigrants are ineligible for Food Stamp benefits; however, dependents of an ineligible immigrant are often eligible.  All household members must have a social security number or proof of having applied for one.

Work.  To receive Food Stamp benefits, most able-bodied people between 16 and 59 years old must register for work, participate in the Employment & Training Program if offered, accept offers of employment, and cannot quit a job. 

Other Factors.  Strikers must be resource and income eligible before the day of the strike.  Most college students must be working half time, enrolled in work-study, caring for young dependents, or receiving Temporary Assistance.  Felons convicted of drug-related offenses are not eligible for Food Stamp benefits.  Individuals disqualified for fraud are ineligible for one year for the first offense, two years for the second offense, and permanently for the third.  Dependents of disqualified or ineligible individuals may be eligible.

Resource Test.  The asset limit is $2,000 for most households and $3,000 for households containing a member who is disabled or 60 years or older.

Assets not counted are the home and its lot, household goods, income producing property, real estate that is up for sale, cash value of life insurance, individual retirement accounts, college savings plans, personal property, and vehicles with equity value under $1,500.  Other vehicles not counted are those used for family transportation, to go to and from work, to produce income, for subsistence hunting and fishing, as the household's home, to transport a disabled household member, and to carry the household's primary source of heating fuel or water.

Countable assets include cash on hand, money in checking/savings accounts, certificates of deposit, stocks, bonds, property not up for sale, and lump-sum payments.

Special rules apply to Alaska Permanent Fund Dividends.

Income Test.  The Food Stamp Program does not count scholarships, grants and loans used for tuition and fees, reimbursements, Native dividends, heating assistance, earnings of children age 18 and younger who are in school, and loans.

Countable income includes wages, self-employment, public assistance benefits, unemployment benefits, worker's compensation, child support, pensions, social security, SSI, and Senior Benefits payments.

Special rules apply to Alaska Permanent Fund Dividends.

Deductions. Food Stamp Program rules allow income deductions, including a 20% deduction on earnings, a standard deduction of $246, a deduction for dependent care costs,  a shelter/utility deduction not to exceed $713, and medical expenses over $35 for elderly or disabled household members.

 

MONTHLY GROSS/NET INCOME LIMITS

(Effective 10/1/08 through 9/30/09)

Household Size	Gross Income	Net Limit
1	$1409	$1084
2	$1896	$1459
3	$2384	$1834
4	$2871	$2209
5	$3359	$2584
6	$3846	$2959
7	$4334	$3334
8	$4821	$3709
Each additional	+$488	+$375

Benefits

Benefit amounts depend on a household's size, net income, and location of residence.  Generally, the larger the household or the lower the net income the higher the Food Stamp benefit.  Also, Food Stamp Program rules allow households in some rural areas to receive a higher benefit.

MAXIMUM MONTHLY FOOD STAMP BENEFIT

(Effective 4/1/09 through 9/30/09)

Household Size	Urban	Rural I	Rural II
1	$239	$304	$371
2	$438	$559	$680
3	$627	$800	$974
4	$797	$1016	$1237
5	$946	$1207	$1469
6	$1135	$1448	$1762
7	$1255	$1600	$1948
8	$1434	$1829	$2226
Each additional	$+179	$+229	$+278