it may be time to think about "food stamps"

[caldwell02]

I know this is not the American Dream we all hoped it would be, but I have been reading too many stories lately of people here who have very very little cash in hand. And I know that across the nation the majority of people who are eligible for "food stamps" don't apply. I'm sure alot of that is fear and embarrassment, but given what we are all going through right now putting food on the table needs to be a priority. We already have our shelter in jeopardy - let's save the food. So with that in mind I cut and pasted the following information about food stamps (which aren't even stamps any more - it's more like a debit card):

Who can get food stamps
Anyone can apply for food stamps. To get food stamps, you and the other people in your household must meet certain conditions. Everyone who is applying in your household must have or apply for a Social Security number and be either a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or have status as a qualified alien.

The following qualified aliens are eligible for food stamps without a waiting period:

• Legal immigrant children under age 18; Blind or disabled legal immigrants who receive disability assistance or benefits; Individuals born on or before August 22, 1931, and who legally resided in the United States on
  August 22, 1996; Lawful permanent residents who are active duty members or veterans of the U.S. armed forces or a spouse or a child of a veteran or active duty service member; Refugees admitted under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA); Asylees under section 208 of the INA; Deportees or removal withheld under section 243(h) or 241(b)(3) of the INA; Cuban or Haitian entrants under section 501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980;
• Amerasian immigrants under section 584 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 1988.

The following legal aliens are eligible ­without a waiting period even if they are not “qualified aliens:

• Hmong or Highland Laotian tribal ­members (including their spouses and children)
  who helped the U.S. military during the Vietnam era; American Indians born in Canada;
• Members of Indian tribes under section 4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(e)).

The following qualified aliens are eligible if they have lived in the U.S. for five years in qualified status:

• Lawful permanent residents (they may be ­eligible sooner than five years if they have
  40 work credits); Parolees (paroled for at least one year under section 212(d)(5) of INA); Conditional entrants under 203(a)(7) of INA in effect prior to April 1, 1980;
• A battered spouse, battered child or ­parent or child of a battered person with a petition pending under 204(a)(1)(A) or (B) or 244(a)(3) of INA.

Most able-bodied people between the ages of 18 and 60 must register for work to qualify for food stamps. Many people may be required to participate in an employment or training program. Some college students also may be eligible.

Resources (things you own)

Generally, your household cannot have more than $2,000 in resources. But, if your household includes a person age 60 or older or who is disabled, the limit is $3,000. Resources of people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program are not counted for food stamp purposes. Resources include cash, bank accounts and other property.

Not all the things you own count. For ­example, your home and the land it is on do not count for food stamp eligibility. A car or truck counts differently depending on how it is used. Most states now use TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) rules in place of food stamp vehicle rules if the TANF rules are more beneficial to the food stamp household.

Most households also must meet an income limit. 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.
How can you apply for food stamps?

Food stamp applications are available at any Social Security office. If you and everyone in your household are applying for or already getting SSI payments, any Social Security office will help you fill out the food stamp application and send it to the food stamp office for you.

All others, including those applying for or getting only Social Security, must take or send their food stamp applications to the local food stamp office or to any Social Security office where a food stamp representative works.

When you are interviewed, you also should have:

• Identification such as a driver’s license, state ID, birth certificate or alien card; Proof of income such as pay stubs, Social Security, SSI or a pension for each member of your household; Proof of how much you spend for child care; Rent receipts or proof of your mortgage payments; Records of your utility costs; and
• Medical bills for those members of your household age 60 or older, and for those who receive government payments such as Social Security or SSI because they are disabled.
  

You can find out how much you may be able to get online through the Food Stamp Pre-Screening Tool at www.foodstamps-step1.usda.gov.
Contacting Social Security

Our website is a valuable resource for information about all of Social Security’s programs. There are a number of things you can do online.
In addition to using our website, you can call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. We can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. We can provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day. (You can use our automated response system to tell us a new address or request a replacement Medicare card.) If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.
We treat all calls confidentially. We also want to make sure you receive accurate and courteous service. That is why we have a second Social Security representative monitor some telephone calls.
Food Stamps

Help, Information and Applications
Available at any Social Security Office

Getting or applying only for Social Security?
You can get a food stamp application and information at any Social Security office.
We cannot take food stamp applications from people getting or applying only for Social Security.
Getting or applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
You can apply for food stamps at any Social Security office if you and everyone in your household get or apply for SSI.
We will help you fill out the food stamp application. You do not have to go to the food stamp office to apply.

[Maurice Bedard]

This is a great post Barbara and one that many should think about if they are hurting for food at times.

[brasscupcakes]

I actually applied for food stamps and qualified, but I only qualified for $20.00 a month. I don't really understand how it can be so little, as my income is low and way less than fixed expenses. But $20 a month is better than nothing a month. Unfortunately, like many who have always done for themselves, I waited seven or eight years before applying, not so much because I was embarrassed, but because I (mistakenly ) felt I could fend for myself better than others who needed help worse. I do urge people to apply -- there are no longer actual stamps, it's a kind of debit card, much less conspicuous than it once was. And because way more people have applied, the stigma is considerably lower. I now think the sooner you get over yourself and take advantage of what's available, the better. The longer you leave it, the harder it is.

[mattfree99]

I just checked for food stamps here in Oregon and it appears we do qualify for somewhere between 88 and 144 dollars a month. Sort of depends on how many hours my wife works. Funny thing is it appears we also qualify for energy assistance and Oregon’s Weatherization Program. The little misses say's why bother with the Weatherization Program because we may not be here is a year. I figure if it's free we should do it. Who knows maybe we will be year next year. If nothing else the next people who reside here will appreciate it.

[Maurice Bedard]

That is good news and exactly why these types of programs are in place. They are there to help people in need. So, I encourage those people on the forum that read these words to seek assistance if they're having a lot of trouble with money food and their bills. Do not feel ashamed to get help when you need help.

That little help may be able to make you sleep better and have a few more meals for you and your family.

Thanks for sharing.

[mattfree99]

We got our card today for just over 100 dollars a month benefits.
We had already been making trips to the local food banks.
The three main ones give us about two boxes of food once a month.
With the food stamps I knew we qualified for some benefits a few months back.
Just my son and his family were living with us for a little while and they had benefits so there has no way we could apply till they moved out.

[Maurice Bedard]

That's great news! The food stamps and the Food Banks will help you get through these lean times so you do not go hungry.