An introduction to food stamps
by: Adapted from materials from the USDA
What are food stamps and how do they work?
The food stamp program provides money to buy food for low-income people.
It works like this. You get something like a debit card, not stamps. It's called an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. When you go to the store, you swipe your card and enter a PIN number at the check-out. Money on your card pays for the groceries. The government will add money onto your card every month.
What can you buy with your card?
You can buy food. You can also buy seeds or plants so you can grow your own food.
You are NOT allowed to buy
any nonfood item such as pet food, toothpast, soap, etc.;
alcohol or tobacco products;
vitamins or medications;
food which is meant to be eaten in the store; and
hot food (you can't use it at restaurants).
Who can get food stamps?
Food stamps are for people who have income levels at or below 130% of the federal poverty level. You can't make over a certain amount of money to get food stamps. The levels are shown on the chart below.
Household size
Household NET income level (after taxes)
1
$798/month
2
$1070/month
3
$1341/month
4
$1613/month
5
$1885/month
6
$2156/month
7
$2428/month
8
$2700/month
Each additional member
Add $272/month
Also, you can't have too much money in your bank accounts.
You must have less than $2,001 in all of your bank accounts combined
BUT, you can have up to $3,001 in all of your bank accounts combined IF
Someone over 60 is a household member
A disabled person is a household member
SSI, TANF, and most pension payments do not count as income, so don't include these when you add up your income level.
There may be other requirements you have to meet. Contact your local food stamp office to find out more.
How much do you get in food stamps per month?
The food stamp limit sets a limit on how much you can get per month.
Household size
Monthly limit
1
$152
2
278
3
399
4
506
5
601
6
722
7
798
8
912
Each additional person
Add 114
How much you get depends on how many people are in your household and your household income. There are a number of other factors as well. You should contact a food stamps office to find out more.
How do you apply?
You can visit one of the Wyoming Department of Family Services offices around the state. Offices are located in most major towns around the state. Click here to find an office close to you.
You can call 1-800-457-3659.
You can print an application. Click here to download the application.
Last Reviewed On: 03/14/06
Using Wyoming LawHelp (Please Read)
Information, Not Legal Advice.
Everybody's problems are unique. This website cannot tell you how your case will be decided.
This website can be used to help you learn the law. It can help you understand your rights. It can assist you in getting the help you need.
If you need more help than this website can give on your specific problem, you should contact a lawyer. If you are low-income and wish to apply for an attorney through Wyoming Legal Services, please click here.
Whether you are low-income or not, if you have questions about your case or are uncertain in any way, it is a good idea to talk to a lawyer before taking legal action.
Hiring a Lawyer.
Hiring a lawyer is a big deal. Be sure to shop around.
Before hiring a lawyer, you should ask a lot of questions.
Hire a lawyer you feel you can trust.
This website gives information on what to look for in a lawyer. This web site is not advertising for any particular lawyer.
E-mail.
Using this website or sending an e-mail to Wyoming LawHelp does not mean that Wyoming LawHelp is your lawyer.
It is important to understand that if you email WLWP and put facts about your case in the email that WLWP will keep your information confidential. It is also important to understand that what you put in your email may not be confidential if you go to litigation on your legal problem. This means that the information you provide could be used against you in court. This is not a good thing! Think twice about what you write in an email! If you have any concerns at all, call our offices or talk to a lawyer!
For all these reasons, you may wish to use the telephone or talk in person when looking for a lawyer.
Deadlines
If you are handling your own case or do not yet have a lawyer, it is very important that you not miss deadlines! You may lose your legal rights if you do not take action right away.
This means getting a lawyer right away if that is what you want.
If you don't have a lawyer call the clerk of court to find out what deadlines apply to you.
Getting It Right
Wyoming LawHelp is offered as public service. We try to make the information correct as of the date of the materials.
Sometimes the laws change. We cannot promise that this information is always up-to-date and correct, but we are doing our best to give you the best information we can.
Links
Sometimes we link to legal information given by other websites.
We cannot say with absolute certainty that these other links have gotten in right.
We do not sponsor these other links or use any trade name, trademark, logo, legal or official seal used at these links.
Not finding the information you need? Let us know!
The Wyoming LawHelp is offered as a public service by Wyoming Legal Services.
Wyoming Legal Services is a statewide program that works to improve access to justice for Wyoming citizens. Wyoming Legal Services provides free legal services, including legal analysis, representation, information and education to low-income persons. We also provide free advice & referral services to Wyoming senior citizens.
The work of Wyoming Legal Services relies on grantors and private donations. All donations are tax deductible.
The Wyoming LawHelp Stakeholder Advisory Committee includes (in alphabetical order): Balwin & Crocker, PC, Centros de Recursos Latinos (Latino Resource Center), The Legal Services Clinic (University of Wyoming), The Self-Help Center, The Students` Attorney Office (University of Wyoming), The Wyoming Guardianship Corporation, Wyoming Legal Services, The Wyoming State Bar Foundation and The Wyoming Supreme Court
(Separate Website)
