Food Stamp and Nutrition Information
Food Stamp Consultant for the Department of Family Services:
Elaine Lucas
Phone 307-777-6786
e-mail elucas@state.wy.us
Cent$ible Nutrition, EBT, Outreach and TEFAP Coordinator for the Department of Family Services:
Alice Sullivan
Phone 307-777-6076
e-mail Asulli@state.wy.us
Out-of-state Verifications: Phone 307-777-5846
The Food Stamp Program is committed to customer service by informing our citizens about the benefits of participating in the Food Stamp Program, and linking individuals to other community and state agencies for the help they need.
The Food Stamp Program, under the Department of Family Services (DFS), is the cornerstone of the federal food assistance program, and provides crucial support to needy households and to those making the transition from welfare to work. Food Stamp benefits are distributed electronically through the Wyoming PayWest card. Our mission is to raise the levels of nutrition among low-income households and provide them more nutritious foods for a better diet. The Food Stamp Program follows regulations and rules established by the federal government and the Food Stamp Act of 1977 as the basis for the present day program. The Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended, requires states to operate a Food Stamp Employment and Training (E&T) program. The purpose of the E&T program is to provide Food Stamp families and single adults with the skills and opportunity to obtain and maintain employment, and to increase earning.
Wyoming's Food Stamp program also collaborates with The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to distribute commodities to emergency feeding organizations, like soup kitchens and food banks or other organizations whose ongoing primary function is to facilitate the distribution of food to low income households. The commodities are shipped to a distribution center in Casper and from there they are distributed to 40-45 different locations statewide, where they are made available for qualifying consumers.
The Cent$ible Nutrition program also plays an important part of Wyoming's Food Stamp program. Cent$ible Nutrition is a collaboration between the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service and the Department of Family Services. The program is available in all Wyoming counties and the Wind River Indian Reservation. Its overall mission is to help food stamp and eligible food stamp recipients develop new skills and gain knowledge leading to food security through improved nutritional well-being and increased ability to manage food resources. By joining the Cent$ible Nutrition Program, you will receive a free computer diet analysis, cookbook, calendar and nutrition and cooking lessons adapted to your needs. Classes are free to those who are willing to invest time in their future. A nutrition educator will help you design a plan to meet your needs. For more information about the Cent$ible Nutrition Program you can call toll free 1-877-219-4646, or contact your local Cooperative Extension Service Office.
Through the efforts of your Benefit Specialists, County Managers, Quality Control, Price Unit and leadership from our State office and Director, Wyoming ranks high in national merits. Wyoming Department of Family Services has won high praises from USDA for maintaining one of the nation's lowest food stamp error rates. Wyoming has also received prestigious awards from the American Public Human Service Association for excellence in customer service by improving its Food Stamp Program participation.
Did you know that for every 5 people that are eligible for the Food Stamp Program only 3 are receiving benefits? The Food Stamp Program initiative is to take the necessary steps to reach all people that meet the 130% poverty level (e.g. monthly income for a family of 3 $1698 gross income or $1306 net income), by reaching out to all potential individuals and families. If you think you are eligible for Food Stamps or if you need some help in applying or help managing your food budget, we encourage you to find out more about the Food Stamp program by contracting your local DFS office. They will be able to assist you through this process. If you want to proceed through the process, the first step is to fill out an application, or you can also call the office and ask them to send you one. Benefits/Applications can be obtained in each of the 23 counties and are made available to people in outlying communities and the Reservation. Any questions that you might have as you complete this application can be answered by contacting your local DFS office for assistance. The address and phone numbers for local DFS offices are listed at http://dfsweb.state.wy.us/districts/base2.htm
Links
Please see the links below, "Food Stamp Information" and "Food Stamp Eligibility chart" for additional information and eligibility standards.
Food Stamp Information
Food Stamp Eligibility Chart - For questions about the Food Stamp Program-call 1-800-457-3659 for in-state calls; 1-800-221-5689 for nationwide calls. Press "0" after an answer is heard.
Food Stamp Application
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