Who can apply for Food Stamps, Social Service, and Limits

Social Service Food Stamps

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program is a US federal financial assistance program that provides monthly assistance to families that meet the program’s eligibility requirements. It ensures;

• Families stretch their budget and purchase healthy food (for a nutritionally adequate diet) and
• Households move towards self-sufficiency.

Monthly SNAP benefits are sent via Electronic Benefit Transfer cards (EBT cards).

SNAP benefits can be utilized to purchase a variety of household foods at authorized SNAP Food stores and Retailers, including:

• Vegetables and Fruits
• Meats (including Poultry and fish)
• Dairies and related products
• Breakfast items including bread and cereal
• Grains, whole grains, and Cereals

This benefit cannot purchase;

• Alcohol or tobacco-related products;
• Non-food items;
• Vitamins and medicines;
• Prepared foods; or
• Hot foods.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers this program.

Qualifying for food stamps

Household income for Food Stamps

Under federal rules (updated annually), for a household to be eligible, their income and resources must meet the 3 tests below;

1. The Gross monthly income— the gross household income (Total income before any allowable deductions) — ideally should not be above 130% of the poverty line.
2. The Net income—the household net income (Gross income after allowable deductions), must not be above the poverty line.

Source: SNAP Income Eligibility Limits – Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2022

3. The Assets—households without a vulnerable member (elders aged above 60 or persons with disability) must have countable assets of $2,750 or less. There are special rules for Households with a vulnerable member. They must have assets of $4,250 or less.

Please note;

• Cash income includes earned income (pre-payroll taxes income) and unearned income (cash assistance from Social Security, unemployment insurance, and child support).
• The SNAP income limits for Alaska and Hawaii are higher.
• Assets generally include liquid resources available to the household to cater for food.
• Assets do not include Family homes, personal property, retirement savings, and most automobiles.
• Some States have relaxed the asset limits.
• Some households may be ineligible for SNAP regardless of income or assets. This category includes individuals on strike, undocumented immigrants, certain students who attend college more than half-time, and certain documented immigrants.

Where do I apply for Food Stamps

Application for SNAP (Food Stamps) is done at the state level (note that each state has its own forms and eligibility requirements). Generally, this can be done in 3 ways;

1. Making an online application at the state agency website
2. Filling out an Application form
3. Physically visiting your local DSS office.

Ensure you have done prescreening to determine eligibility.

Applying for food stamps online

Applications are not done at the federal level but rather at the local Department of Social Services office regional office. Each State accepts applications and has its own category of eligibility.

Use the SNAP’s Application and Local Office Locators page to be redirected to your state’s application portal. You can create an account or log in if previously registered.

Food Stamps application form

Please apply for SNAP benefits by completing a state application form (electronic or paper format) or have an authorized person do it for you.

The application form can be done online, sent via mail, or dropped off at your local DSS Regional office.  After this, you will be interviewed by an eligibility worker to continue the application process.

Please ensure you keep a copy of the completed application.

Food stamps local office

You can visit your local DSS office and make a SNAP benefits application in person. It is advisable to prefill out as much of the application as possible ahead of time.

Application status for Food Stamps

If the application was submitted online, you can check the status of your case on your state’s customer portal. If you do not have one, you will need to create to access this service.

Alternatively, you can call the local DSS office or the customer service center. (Please have your case number or social security number in hand)

SNAP Benefit renewal

SNAP benefits must be renewed (interim report and/or recertify) periodically. Certification periods may be 6, 12, or 24 months depending on your state’s procedures and your household circumstance.

Most states will send a renewal letter/pack (with a clear submission date) usually a month or two before the month your benefits are scheduled to end.

Ensure you call the toll-free number for your local DSS office or the customer service center if you do not receive the renewal letter when expected.

Recertification is usually done without the applicant going physically to the DDS Office. It usually involves three steps;

1. Submission of the Recertification application. This can be submitted by mail, online, by fax, or in person at your local DSS office.
2. After the submission, an interview is automatically scheduled for you. If you are late in submission, you might be required to reschedule an interview appointment before the end of this certification period.
3. After the interview, you may be requested to submit further documentation related to your household income or circumstances.

Please note;

• It may take between 15-30 days to process renewal forms.
• There won’t be any interruptions to your benefits if you keep up with the timelines.
• DSS can still process Submissions after the deadline. However, they may cause interruptions to the flow of benefits.

Limits for Food Stamps

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) uses The Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) as the metric for calculating the maximum monthly allotment of financial assistance to SNAP recipients (Assuming they stretch the budget).

TFP is a market basket of foods of low-cost nutritious diet (as per federal nutrition guidelines). USDA makes monthly adjustments to reflect changes in prices. Its aim is to provide sufficient nutrition on a strict low-cost budget.

USDA has 15 TFP market baskets. These baskets cater to the nutritional requirements of specific groups based on age or gender.

A typical TFP basket will include rations of grains (and whole grains), vegetables, fruits, dairy products, meat and beans, and other foods as listed in USDA Dietary Allowances and Dietary Guidelines.

Limits are as follows;

• Households with net income qualify for a monthly SNAP benefit that equals the maximum benefit (for a family of that size as tied to the cost of USDAs TFP) less the household’s expected contribution of 30% of its net income. SNAP expects the family to spend 30% of their net income on food.
• Households with no net income qualify for the maximum monthly SNAP benefit (for a family of that size as tied to the cost of USDAs TFP).

Cutting off food stamps

These are restrictions on food stamps benefits to ensure it remains an assistance when unemployed healthy adults are facing difficult times, hence not a way of life.

A “Three-Month Time Limit” of three months, every three years is applicable to Unemployed adults (aged 18 to 49) without disabled children in the household.

States have broader authority to extend SNAP time limits. Some states provide temporary waivers (especially during disasters or pandemics) when unemployment rates are high, recognizing that jobs are way harder to find in a weak economy.

Most states are cutting the extra support provided during the COVID-19 pandemic in response to labor shortages.

Bottom Line

The main purpose of SNAP benefits is to help households stretch their food budget in combination with their low income. The benefits limit able-bodied individuals (without dependents) from making a lifestyle out of the benefit.

Certain households may be eligible for SNAP benefits within 7 days of making an application date. This is applicable if they meet below additional requirements;

• The household possesses less than $100 in liquid resources and $150 in monthly gross income.
• The household’s combined monthly gross income and liquid resources are less than their monthly rent or mortgage and utility expenses.