 For
over 30 years, the Food Stamp Program has served as the foundation of America's
national nutrition safety net, working to end hunger and improve the health
of low-income people by helping families buy the food they need for a nutritionally
adequate diet. In South Carolina over 100,000 households depend on the
Food Stamp Program each month to get the food they need for good health.
For
children, a better diet means better learning in school. For adults, it
means better performance on the job or a better foundation for developing
the job skill that can give them and their families independence. For seniors,
it means access to a balanced diet vital to their nutritional well-being.
For everyone, participation in the Food Stamp Program can help stretch
limited budgets, improve nutrition, and reduce the risk of diet-related
health problems.
Families, people living alone, and people living with roommates use food stamps. People who are homeless can get food stamps, too.
People of all ages use food stamps.
You do not need to be receiving Family Independence or to be out of work in order to get them.
People who are working or have regular income form other sources than work, such as Social Security or a retirement pension, disability benefits, child support, or unemployment, can often get food stamps.
If you are applying for food stamps, the amount of benefits you receive will depend upon the number of people in your food stamp "household", your "household's" total monthly income, and certain "household" monthly expenses.
You may complete an application form for food stamps at your local Department of Social Services (DSS) or you may use the application form on this web-site and deliver, mail or fax the application to your local DSS office.
Food
Stamp Program benefits give a person or family more buying power at the
grocery store. The benefits are not intended to cover all of a family's
food costs, but will lessen the amount of income that must be used toward
groceries each month.
Food Stamp Program eligibility and
benefits are based on several factors including:
-
The number of people who live in a household
and buy food and prepare meals together;
-
How much money your family has left
from its monthly income after certain household expenses are subtracted.
Once
household eligibility is determined, your approved food stamp benefits
will be deposited into an account each month. The account is accessed by
using an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. The EBT card acts as
a debit card. Each time you use your card, your account will be reduced
by the cost of the groceries you buy.
For
more information concerning the Food Stamp Program, contact your county
DSS office.
List
of County DSS Offices
Additional information:
-
USDA Food and Nutrition Assistance toll-free
hotline (1-800-221-5689).
-
Resource: "Preparing Nutritious Meals
at Minimal Costs." Provides information on how to prepare healthy meals
on a tight budget. The booklet contains two sample meal plans (two weekly
menus, 40 recipes, and two food lists), tips for nutritious meals at minimal
costs, and a resource list for additional information. You can download
the booklet from the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion web site
http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/
-
Informational posters, brochures and
flyers can be downloaded from the FNS web site
http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications.htm.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of
Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the
basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs, or
disability. To file a complaint or discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office
of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or
call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal
opportunity provider and employer.
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