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Food Stamp Program Facts
The Food Stamp Program provides monthly benefits that help low-income households
buy the food they need for good health. You may qualify for food stamps if you:
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work for low wages
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are unemployed or work part-time
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receive welfare or other assistance payments, or
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are elderly or disabled and live on a small income.
APPLYING FOR FOOD STAMPS
The Food Stamp Program will give you an application form on the same day you ask
for one. You may ask for it in person, over the phone, or by mail; or someone
else may get one for you. You may also apply on-line at
www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dfd/foodstamp.html
The office will accept the form on the same day you turn it in, even if they
cannot interview you on that day.
If you are applying for public assistance such as Temporary Assistance to Needy
Families (TANF) or General Assistance (GA), you may apply for food stamps at the
same time.
If you are applying for or receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
benefits, you may apply for food stamps at your Social
Security District Office.
All other households must apply for food stamps through their local food stamp
office.
After you have turned in your application, a worker will hold a confidential
interview with you or another member of your household.
At the interview, the worker will explain the program rules and help you
complete any parts of the application that you have not filled out. The worker
will also ask you for proof of certain information that you have provided. Ask
the worker to explain anything you don’t understand. It’s important that you
understand the rules.
Most interviews are held at the Social Services Office. If no one in your
household can go to the office for an interview, you may appoint any responsible
adult to act as your authorized representative.
In some cases if you are disabled, or face certain hardships, you won’t need to
have an office interview. A home visit or telephone interview can be arranged.
MEETING ELIGIBILITY RULES AND PROVIDING PROOF THAT YOU ARE ELIGIBLE
Listed below are some of the basic eligibility rules and the kinds of proof you
may be asked to provide during your interview. Your case may be processed faster
if you bring to your interview the proof that is needed.
If you have trouble getting documents or information you need, the worker will
help you. If the documents are not available, you may give the name of someone,
such as your
employer, who can confirm you statements.
CITIZENSHIP: U.S. citizens and only certain legal aliens may qualify. If
members of your household are not U.S. citizens, you will have to provide proof
of their status from the Immigration and Naturalization Service before they can
qualify for food stamps.
Even if some members of your household do not meet the citizenship requirements,
those who do may qualify for food stamps.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS: You will have to provide a Social Security
number for every household member, including children. If any household member
does not have a Social Security number, he or she will have to apply for one. If
you are otherwise eligible for food stamps, you can receive them for a limited
time while you are waiting for your Social Security number.
WORK RULES: Able bodied adults without dependents are only eligible to
receive food stamps for 3 out of each 36 month period unless they:
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work at least 30 hours per week
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participate in a Department of Labor training program
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live in an area which has over 15% unemployment.
All unemployed adults with children over six must register for the Food Stamp
Employment and Training Program.
PERSONS ON STRIKE: Households with persons who are on strike because of a
labor dispute are not eligible unless they would have been eligible before the
strike. Eligible households cannot receive a higher allotment because of a
decrease in the income of the striking member.
RESOURCES: Under food stamp rules, some resources are counted and some
are not. The worker will explain which are counted. All households may have up
to $2,000 worth of countable resources. For households in which at least one
member is over age 60, the resource limit is $3,000. Part of the value of most
vehicles is counted as a resource. Some of the resources that will not be
counted are
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An automobile whose fair market value is $9500 or less.
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Your home and surrounding lot
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Household goods and personal belongings
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Life Insurance Policies
Examples of resources that will be counted are:
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Cash and money in savings accounts
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Stocks and Bonds
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Land and buildings, other than your home and lot, that do not
produce income.
Acceptable Verifications: Bank books or statement and proof of
other countable resources.
INCOME: Under food stamp rules the income of all the members of the
household is counted. In order to qualify, the total income must fall below
certain limits which are determined according to household size. All income must
be verified.
Acceptable verifications: Recent pay stubs or a statement from your employer;
benefit letters from Social Security, Veterans Administration, the unemployment
office or private pension program.
DEDUCTIONS:
After adding all your household’s countable income, the worker will allow
certain deductions to be subtracted. The following deductions are allowed for
all households:
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A standard deduction, to cover basic household expenses
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A 20% deduction from the income you earn
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A deduction for the actual costs of dependent care and/or a
portion of high shelter expenses. There is a maximum on the amount of these
expenses that may be deducted. (Dependent care includes care for children and
disabled adults, if this care is needed so that a household member can work,
look for a job, or get training or an education leading to a job).
Households with members who are disabled or age 60 or older may qualify for two
extra deductions:
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A deduction for medical costs over $35 a month that are
incurred by members who are disabled or age 60 or older. These costs are
deductible only if they are not covered by insurance, a government program, or
some other source.
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An extra deduction for high shelter costs.
Acceptable verifications: Bills or records of payments for the following:
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Dependent care costs, such as babysitter,
day care center, or attendant for a disabled adult
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Rent, mortgage, or property taxes
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Insurance on the structure, but not the contents of the home
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Telephone, electricity, gas, oil, water, sewerage, garbage
collection, and installation costs for utilities
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Medical bills and proof of any reimbursement, such as an
insurance policy or statement from an insurance company or agency paying these
bills.
ISSUING BENEFITS
Benefits are issued through a Family First card that looks like a credit card
and is used to access benefits at grocery stores that display the Quest logo.
USING YOUR FOOD STAMPS
Food stamps may be used for food and for plants and seeds to grow food for your
household to eat.
Food stamps can not buy:
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Alcoholic beverages
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Tobacco or cigarettes
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Household supplies, soaps, and paper products
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Medicines or vitamins
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Any other non-food items
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Food that will be eaten in the store
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Hot foods that are ready to eat, such as barbecued chicken
Pet foods
SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES
also provides
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Cash Assistance
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Medicaid
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Medical Transportation
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Case Management
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Adult Protective Services
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Homemaker Service for Disabled Adults
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Housing Services
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Employment & Training Programs
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