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Food Stamps: Who Can Get Them
by: Southeast Louisiana Legal Services
Q.	Who can get food stamps? What are the rules?

A.	Most people who meet federal income and resource limits are eligible for (can get) food stamps. But some people, even if they are very poor, cannot get food stamps. If you are in one of these groups, you probably cannot get food stamps: On strike (unless you are locked out or permanently replaced, or were eligible before the strike). Undocumented alien (non-citizen without any legal right to be in the U.S.). Some legal immigrants (there are many rules). For more information on immigrants and public benefits, see the non-profit National Immigration Law Center (NILC) website, at www.nilc.org/immspbs/index.htm. Or, talk with a lawyer. Living in a hospital, jail or other institution that serves meals. Student enrolled at least 1/2 time in college. But you can still get food stamps if you work 20 hours a week, get federal work-study money, are under 18, are over 50, are physically or mentally unfit, are getting welfare, are taking care of a small child, or get JTPA help. Disqualified from the food stamp program. Quit a job without good cause in the last 3 months before applying for food stamps. "Good Cause" covers a lot of problems on the job. If you think you had good reason to quit your job, tell the food stamp office worker (and supervisor if you have to). Refuse to follow food stamp program rules. Unemployed childless adults between 18 and 50 who get food stamps too long and who do not fall under an exception to the 3 month time limit. But there are several exceptions that cover most people.

Q.	What are the income and resource rules?

A.	The income and resource rules are strict. They are also not very simple. Some income and resources are not counted. Also, the food stamp office is supposed to give you some deductions (including a "standard" deduction, and also for shelter, utilities, and medical expenses if you are elderly or disabled). If your household has someone who is disabled or over 60, the resouce limit is $3,000. For all others, the limit is $2,000. The income limits change every year, as the federal poverty level changes. Unless your household has an elderly or disabled person, you cannot get food stamps unless the gross income is below 130% of the official federal poverty limit, and your net income below 100%. You can see the annual income eligibility limits, the amount of the standard and shelter deductions, and the limit of food stamps you might get for your household, on the website of the non-profit Food Research and Action Center, at www.frac.org/html/federal_food_programs/programs/fsp_limits2002.html.

Q.	What about property I own with someone else, or property I've put my name on to help someone out, but do not really have? Is that counted against me?

A.	The general rule is that resources you own with someone else are counted as fully "available" to you. This rule should not apply to you if you can show: Only a part of the resource is really available to you. The resource cannot really be divided between the owners. You are living in a shelter for protection from an abuser. Your abuser will not agree to divide the property or you are afraid to ask him about it. You own the property with someone on SSI. Your name is on some property only for someone else's convenience and you do not benefit from it (for example, you co-signed a car loan or have your name on a bank account for someone else). The food stamp office will likely give you a problem over property like this. Try to speak with a supervisor if you have a problem. Or, talk with a lawyer.

Q.	Can I give away property so I can get food stamps?

A.	Only sometimes. The food stamp office will ask you about resources you had in the 3 months before you applied. If you gave away or sold things in the time, and do not meet an exception, the food stamp office will disqualify you for a period of time that depends on the value of the resource. You should not be disqualified if: You gave away or sold the property for a different reason, not just to get food stamps; The property was not a resource the food stamp office could count anyway; The value of the property would not have been enough to put you over the resource limits anyway; You sold it for close to the fair market value; or You sold or gave it away to someone else in the food stamp household.


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	Last Reviewed On: 06/03/09

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