Food Stamps

Do you need help stretching your food budget?


	What is it? Food Stamps is a federal program that gives low-income families a monthly allotment of money to purchase food. Families can be eligible for Food Stamps even if they make too much money to qualify for Public Assistance (PA). What do you get? Food Stamps are given to you in an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that you use like a credit card at your local grocer to purchase food. The amount you receive each month depends on your household size and income. How long do you get it? You can get Food Stamps as long as you continue to qualify - but you need to re-certify to ensure that you are still eligible (see below): If you were never on PA or if you've been off PA for more than a year, you'll have to re-certify every 12 months. The Human Resource Administration will send you a notice in the mail reminding you to come in to a Food Stamps office to re-certify. You must bring all the documents listed in the 'What Do I Need to Bring...?' box when you go. If your PA was closed less than 12 months ago, you'll have to recertify more often (every 3-6 months). Your PA case manager at the Job Center will notify you by mail when you have to re-certify.

Ask a Question
Give Feedback