What is the Food Stamp Program?
It's a federally funded program that helps low-income families buy nutritious food from local food stores. Food stamp assistance is available to qualifying families, elderly people, and single adults.

Aren't food stamps only for people who are on welfare?
Many working people — both single and with families — use food stamps to make ends meet. So do many people who are elderly or disabled. The truth is that 80 percent of the people who receive food stamps are not on welfare.

How do you access food stamp benefits?
Food Stamps are distributed through a debit card (called the EBT card). Paper coupons no longer exist. The EBT card works like an ATM or debit/credit card. The card is swiped at the cash register at the point of food purchase. Food purchases are then debited from the recipient’s remaining balance in his/her food stamp account.

We have a hard time buying food each month, but I would be really embarrassed to have my neighbors see me use food stamps.
Food Stamp Program is a nutrition program that helps supplement the food budgets of low-income families and individuals. Food Stamp recipients are now issued a plastic EBT card which resembles a bank or credit card. Food Stamps are no longer issued as paper currency. Your EBT card is designed to be private, so that no one will know if you are using a bank /credit card or an EBT card.

Do I have to be a United States citizen to get help?
You have to be a U.S. citizen or a non-citizen who meets certain criteria to be eligible for food stamps. Click here for more information
Parents who aren't citizens may apply for benefits for their children who are U.S. citizens. Receiving food stamps won't affect your ability to become a U.S. citizen.

What if I am single and don’t have children, can I still apply?
If you're an adult between the ages of 18 and 50 — and you don't have children — you must work 20 hours per week or meet other work requirements. If you don't do those things, you're limited to three months of food stamp benefits in a three-year period. Exceptions are made for people who aren't required to participate in employment programs.

ABAWD rules: Many districts waive or exempt individuals from the three month limit.
Individuals are exempt from this provision if they are:

• Under 18 or over 50 years of age
• Responsible for the care of a child or incapacitated household member
• Medically certified as physically or mentally unfit for employment, pregnant, or
• Already exempt from the work requirements of the Food Stamp Act.

How is it determined how much food stamps I will receive?
The amount of food stamp benefits you may receive will be determined by the following:

• The number of people in the household
• The amount of income received by the people in the household
• The household's shelter expenses (this includes rent, mortgage, lot rent, homeowner's insurance, property taxes, and utility bills)
• The amount you are responsible to pay for medical expenses that are not reimbursed. You must be 60 or older or disabled in order to receive this deduction.