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Food Stamp FactsSSA Publication No. 05-10101, September 2008, ICN 468655 [View .pdf] |
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The food stamp program helps low-income people buy food. Although it is a federal government program, it is run by state or local agencies. |
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Who can get food stamps?Anyone can apply for food stamps. To get food stamps, you and the other people in your household must meet certain conditions. Everyone who is applying in your household must have or apply for a Social Security number and be either a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or have status as a qualified alien. The following qualified aliens are eligible for food stamps without a waiting period:
The following legal aliens are eligible without a waiting period even if they are not “qualified aliens:
The following qualified aliens are eligible if they have lived in the U.S. for five years in qualified status:
Most able-bodied people between the ages of 18 and 60 must register for work to qualify for food stamps. Many people may be required to participate in an employment or training program. Some college students also may be eligible. |
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Resources (things you own)Generally, your household cannot have more than
$2,000 in resources. But, if your household includes a person age 60
or older or who is disabled, the limit is $3,000. Resources of people
who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or benefits under the
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program are not counted
for food stamp purposes. Resources include cash, bank accounts and other
property. |
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How can you apply for food stamps?Food stamp applications are available at any Social Security office. If you and everyone in your household are applying for or already getting SSI payments, any Social Security office will help you fill out the food stamp application and send it to the food stamp office for you.
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How much can you get?You can find out how much you may be able to get online through the Food Stamp Pre-Screening Tool at www.foodstamps-step1.usda.gov. |
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Contacting Social SecurityOur website is a valuable resource for information about all of Social Security’s programs. There are a number of things you can do online. In addition to using our website, you can call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. We can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. We can provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day. (You can use our automated response system to tell us a new address or request a replacement Medicare card.) If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778. We treat all calls confidentially. We also want to make sure you receive accurate and courteous service. That is why we have a second Social Security representative monitor some telephone calls. |
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