What to Expect When Applying for Food Stamps
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is available within each state of the United States of America. It is a federally funded program that gives citizens funds for groceries to feed their families. This program has been in existence since 1962.
When a person thinks of the food stamp program, they may have an assumption that recipients receive actual stamps that they can redeem for food in grocery stores. Although the government previously gave recipients food stamp coupons, now all the states load the recipient's food support money directly on a reloadable debit card, which is called an electronic benefits card, or EBT. This card can also be used for a person's cash benefits on other government programs when applicable.
Whether a person has been laid off from his or her job, or is experiencing a pay cut, they are able to apply for food support. In order to apply for food support, a person must visit his or her local county human services office. There is a lengthy application that must be filled out entirely in order for the county to determine if an applicant is eligible for food stamps.
There are a few things an applicant can bring with them to the human services office that will help speed up their waiting time. Making sure they know the social security numbers of their family members is helpful. Everything has to be documented with the government, so it is important to bring copies of bank statements, pay stubs, child support, vehicle titles, and mortgage or rent statements. Having this information at the time of applying for food stamps will help expedite the process.
After the application has been turned in, the applicant usually has an interview with a human services worker to determine eligibility and to go through the application, to make sure the applicant is not missing documents. An applicant usually does not get an approval for food stamps the day of the interview, although exceptions can be made. It can take up to 30 days to get an approval or denial for food stamps.
Determining if a family is eligible for food stamps is based upon income, family size, and assets. A person can own assets such as a primary home, vehicles, and bank accounts and still be eligible for food stamps. If a person feels that they need assistance from the federal government to meet basic needs such as food, it is worth the time to fill out the application for food stamps. Although the application is lengthy, it is worth applying if it can help a person meet their basic needs.
When a person thinks of the food stamp program, they may have an assumption that recipients receive actual stamps that they can redeem for food in grocery stores. Although the government previously gave recipients food stamp coupons, now all the states load the recipient's food support money directly on a reloadable debit card, which is called an electronic benefits card, or EBT. This card can also be used for a person's cash benefits on other government programs when applicable.
Whether a person has been laid off from his or her job, or is experiencing a pay cut, they are able to apply for food support. In order to apply for food support, a person must visit his or her local county human services office. There is a lengthy application that must be filled out entirely in order for the county to determine if an applicant is eligible for food stamps.
There are a few things an applicant can bring with them to the human services office that will help speed up their waiting time. Making sure they know the social security numbers of their family members is helpful. Everything has to be documented with the government, so it is important to bring copies of bank statements, pay stubs, child support, vehicle titles, and mortgage or rent statements. Having this information at the time of applying for food stamps will help expedite the process.
After the application has been turned in, the applicant usually has an interview with a human services worker to determine eligibility and to go through the application, to make sure the applicant is not missing documents. An applicant usually does not get an approval for food stamps the day of the interview, although exceptions can be made. It can take up to 30 days to get an approval or denial for food stamps.
Determining if a family is eligible for food stamps is based upon income, family size, and assets. A person can own assets such as a primary home, vehicles, and bank accounts and still be eligible for food stamps. If a person feels that they need assistance from the federal government to meet basic needs such as food, it is worth the time to fill out the application for food stamps. Although the application is lengthy, it is worth applying if it can help a person meet their basic needs.
