FOOD STAMPS FOR WORKERS
Many people with jobs can get food stamps. Food stamps can buy food for your family and help you save money.
This chart will give you an idea of whether you might be eligible for food stamps.
If you live in a household without an elderly or disabled member . . .
|
You might be eligible for food stamps if your household size is . . . |
And the total money you get before anything is taken out in a month is less than . . . |
The highest amount of food stamps you could get if you have no income is . . . |
|
1 |
$ 931 |
$ 135 |
|
2 |
1,258 |
248 |
|
3 |
1,585 |
356 |
|
4 |
1,913 |
452 |
|
5 |
2,240 |
537 |
|
6 |
2,567 |
644 |
To apply for food stamps:
Go to your local Department of Human Services office or call or write for an application.
Be sure to tell your DHS worker if you have to work at the same time you are scheduled to meet. Your worker can try to set up a time to meet with you. You may be able to meet over the telephone if you cannot meet due to your work.
You must give these things to the DHS worker:
 | Proof of your identity. |
| Proof of household size. |
| The names and ages of all household members. |
| Social Security number(s) for all household members who are going to be part of the assistance group. |
| Pay stubs of all income for the last eight weeks. |
| Proof of other money you and others in your household get (Social Security, unemployment, VA, child support and the like). |
| Proof of all resources (vehicles, cash, savings and checking accounts). |
| Proof of where you live. |
| Proof of rent or house payment. |
| Proof of recent utility bills (gas, electric, coal, wood, water, phone). |
| Proof of child care costs you pay. |
| Proof of child support you pay. |
| Proof of disability, when necessary. |
| Proof of medical bills for folks 60 or older and those receiving SSI/Disability payments, veterans and most other disability benefits. |
• The word "household" has special meaning in the Food Stamp Program. A "household" can be one person who lives alone. It can be a group of persons, related or unrelated, who live in the same place. More than one "household" can be living in the same house, but each must buy and prepare their own food separately.
• Many working households who get food stamps have fewer reporting requirements. In most cases they must report changes in income and circumstances only every six months.
• Some relatives must be included in the same household. For example, husbands, wives and children age 21 and under who live together have to be in the same household even if they do not fix their meals together. A person under age 22 is considered as part of the parent
’s household if they live with their parents. This is true even if they are married and even if they have children.• When you apply for food stamps, you can get a deduction for child care costs. The highest amount is $200/month for a child less than 2 years old and $175/month for a child age 2 and over.
• You can get a deduction for child support payments you pay for children not in your home.
• A vehicle worth less than $4,650 does not count as a resource. If you have a more expensive vehicle but the equity in the vehicle is less than $1,500, it will not count as a resource. Equity is the difference between the fair market value of the car and how much you owe.
• If you quit your job without good cause, you can be cut off food stamps.
• Strikers and their families cannot usually get food stamps. Employees who refuse to cross a picket line, who are laid off due to a strike, or who are locked out are not called strikers and may be able to qualify.
• If you believe a decision in your food stamp case is wrong or unfair, you can appeal. Call Legal Aid if you need help.