Food Stamp Benefits

Food Stamp Benefits helps people with little or no money buy food at participating stores. Any household who meets basic income and other requirements may be eligible to receive food stamp benefits. Adult children who are over 21 years old who live with their parents may qualify for their own food stamp account if they purchase and prepare food separately from their parents. Adult siblings who live together, but not with their parents, who purchase and prepare meals separately may also have separate food stamp accounts. People who must be included in one household account, regardless of whether or not they buy and prepare meals separately are spouses of any household member, parents living with natural, adopted or stepchildren who are age 21 or younger and children younger than 18 who are dependents of an adult household member. Only citizens of the United States and some legal immigrants of the United States may receive food stamp benefits. Household members who are 16 to 60 years old and can work must look for and accept work. Some exceptions apply to this requirement. Members of the household are only to have up to $2000 in cash and bank account assets. If there is a member who is 60 or older, they may have up to $3000 in resources. The amount of benefits a household may receive depends on the size of the household. All wages or other payments received by someone in the household are counted as income. The household may qualify for deductions from income such as rent, utilities, legally obligated child support paid to someone outside the household and babysitting expenses. If there are disabled or someone over age 60 in the household, you may be allowed deductions for medical costs. To apply for food stamps the head of household or an authorized representative must be interviewed by a food stamps caseworker. The head of household or authorized representative should complete your application and turn it in as soon as possible. Benefits will begin the date of your application is received. If your household needs benefits right away, you may be able to get them within a few days after applying. Otherwise, you will receive a letter within 30 days telling you whether or not you will receive benefits. You will receive an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card and a Personal Identification Card (PIN) in the mail to access your food stamp account. Your benefits will be deposited to the EBT card each month.