The federal food stamp program is now officially known as the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. This program was designed to help low income individuals and families buy the nutritional food needed.
Typically people that qualify for the SNAP program are low income workers, unemployed, disabled or elderly. Applicants can get an idea of they qualify or not by looking online at the online SNAP Eligibility tool.
The SNAP program is federally funded but is managed by state and local agencies. Applicants may apply at any SNAP office or Social Security office. Some states are now allowing online applications but not every state offers this avenue of applying. Usually applicants must apply in person and have a face to face interview with a SNAP worker.
Applicants must provide proof of income such as a tax return. If the applicant is employed they must bring pay stubs to prove their salary. If unemployed, applicants must provide date of termination and claim cards for unemployment.
Applicants must also account for all household resources. Household resources are any type of income or assets that any member of the household has access to. This includes children. For example, if the applicant’s 16 year old son has a part time job; his income is considered a resource. Resources are also items such as savings accounts, stocks, bonds, vehicles, checking accounts, life insurance that can be borrowed from or CD’s.
All social security numbers for each member of the family or household must be supplied. If there is a household member that does not have a social security number a SNAP caseworker can help them obtain one.
If the application is approved the average benefit per household is about $227 per household or $101 per person. SNAP households are expected to spend about 30% of the household income on food.