- Food stamps help needy families get food so they can survive.veggie stand image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
Food stamps provide food for families and individuals who would otherwise be hungry. One out of every five individuals in the state of New York qualifies for the food stamp program. This important program is an integral part of society, but there are rules and regulations that you should know about if you wish to participate in this program. - You can own a car, house and work and you can still qualify for food stamps. You do not need to have a permanent address or receive other types of government assistance to qualify for the food stamp program. You are not limited to certain resources when it comes to food stamps. In some cases non-US Citizens may qualify for food stamps for themselves and their children if their children are citizens of the US.
As of early 2010, the average amount of food stamps received is $91.40 per person per month in the state of New York according to the Food Stamp Outreach Program. - These are the following income requirements as of April 2010.
For household of one the maximum income to qualify for food stamps in the state of New York is $1,127. The maximum amount of food stamps a household of one can get is $176.
For a household of two the maximum income goes up to $1,517 in order to qualify and the maximum monthly food stamp allotment for a family of two is $323.
For a household of three the maximum income goes up to $1,907 while the maximum food stamps benefits for a family of three is $463
For a household of four the maximum income goes up to $2,297 and the maximum monthly food stamp benefit for a family this size is $588
For a household of five the maximum income goes up to $2,687. The maximum they can get in food stamps is $698.
For a household of six the maximum income goes up to $3,077. The maximum they can get in food stamps is $838
For a household of seven the maximum income goes up to $3,467 The maximum food stamp benefits they can get is $926.
For a household of eight the maximum income goes up to $3,857 and maximum of $1,058 in food stamps benefits monthly.
For each additional household member over eight, add $390 to the maximum income and $132 to the maximum in food stamps per additional family member over eight. - Legal immigrants may qualify for food stamps if they meet a certain set of criteria. A legal immigrant that receives disability benefits automatically qualifies for food stamps. Legal immigrants who have lived in the United States for at least five years may also qualify for food stamps. All legal immigrant children may instantly qualify for food stamps. The five year rule does not apply to them. If you fail to meet immigrant status others such as your children may still qualify for food stamps.
- Applicants may apply for food stamps as many times as they like. Applicants must receive an application for food stamps on the day they request one. Applicants have the right to a fair hearing if they feel as if they were wrongfully denied the right to food stamps. They also have a right to a fair hearing if they do not agree with any action taken on their cause. Applicants must receive food stamps within 30 days of filing their application if they qualify. In emergency situations, applicants have the right to expedited food stamps which are to be delivered to them within five days.
- In some cases, a household may require the immediate benefit of food stamps. To qualify the person must have made $150 or less within the last 30 days or have $100 or less in cash. A person or family may also qualify if their expenses for a given month outweigh their income. If the family or person qualifies for expedited food stamps, they must receive them within five days of their application.
- If an individual qualifies for SSI and is the only person living in the household, then they also qualify for food stamps automatically.
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