|
Food Stamp Program
> What
Your Client Needs to Apply
Most states will accept a variety of IDs as valid, but
your client must provide the following information to be eligible to
receive food stamps:
- Identification (Refer to Helping Your Client
Establish Documentation in General Tips section)
- Social Security number
or proof that the client has applied for a Social
Security number. To obtain a Social Security
number or a replacement card, visit the Social
Security Administration (Get this from the General
Tips section)
Eligibility Facts
for People who are Homeless
Your clients who are homeless:
- May be able to get a $143 shelter deduction
if paying to stay in a shelter
- Must provide an address where mail can be sent, but
do not need to have a fixed residence
- That live in their car will not
have their car counted as a resource
- May be able to use their food
stamps at some soup kitchens and restaurants
Work Requirements
There may be work requirements your clients need to fulfill
in order to receive food stamps. These requirements may vary in each
state, so check with your state or local food stamp office to see if
they apply.
With some exceptions, clients between the ages of 16 and
60 must:
- Register for work
- Accept suitable employment
- Take part in an employment and training
program to which the food stamp office refers them
Your clients who fail to comply with these requirements
may risk becoming ineligible for food stamps.
In addition, clients between
the ages of 18 and 50 who do not have any dependent children can get
food stamps only for three months in a 36-month
period if they do not work or participate in a workfare or employment
and training program other than a job search. This requirement is waived
in some locations.
Work Requirement
Exemptions
The following types of people are exempt from the food stamp work requirement:
- Persons under age 16
and over 60. Teenagers who are 16 or 17 and
attending secondary school, or are not the head
of household, or are enrolled in an employment
and training program
- Persons responsible for the care of a dependent
child under age 6 or an incapacitated person
- Persons enrolled in a
residential drug addiction or alcohol rehabilitation program
- Persons
found to be “unfit” for work
- Full-time students in a post-secondary
educational program who are working 20 hours a week, or meeting other
program requirements
Application
Process
Your clients should find out if they are eligible for food
stamps within 30 days of submitting their application. You should
encourage your clients to call or visit the state or local food stamp
office if they have not heard after 30 days.
Homeless applicants may be able
to get food stamps in as little as seven days.
For more information about Expedited
Food Benefits go to the Food Stamps Tip section.
Your clients can enroll for food stamps anytime
during the month.
Some
clients who receive Supplemental Security Income benefits may be able
to apply for benefits at any Social Security office. The Social
Security
office helps them fill out the food stamp application and sends it
to the state food stamp office. Otherwise, your clients must take
or send
the application to their local food stamp office.
For more information
about the Food Stamp Program application process in your state, visit
www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/contact_info/hotlines.htm.
Renewal
Process
Once your clients are approved for food stamps, the benefits
continue for a specific time. This specific timeframe is called a “certification
period." Your clients receiving food stamps are certified for anywhere
from one to 12 months, depending on the stability of their situation.
The food stamp office sends a notice toward the end of the certification
period that it is time to come in to reapply. The recertification notice
can be sent to you if your client who is homeless does not have a mailing
address and wants you to be his/her authorized representative.
Appeals
Process
Your clients can ask for a fair hearing
if they disagree with a decision the agency has
made on their case. Hearing officials are required
by law to review the facts of every case in a fair
and objective manner. At a fair hearing, clients
can explain to the hearing official why they disagree
with the ruling of the food stamp office.
|
