With the economy still trying to recover from the dismal state it found itself a few years back, low income households need all the help they can get. And everyday, it seems that more households are falling under this income bracket. Just trying to meet the basics like food and rent can seem like an impossibility to deal with for a lot of these families, especially with some of them not even being accustomed to dealing with this kind of situation.
The food stamps program, now known as SNAP or the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, has been around for the last 35 years, providing assistance to low income households that find themselves challenged in obtaining basic needs, particularly food. The recent change, means that benefits are no longer actually provided through physical food stamps, but through an Electronic Benefit Transfer card. In some ways, this card functions like a regular debit card and is meant to allow you to go into any grocery store so you can purchase certain kinds of foods.
Of course, with these changes, even households that have long taken advantage of this program might not necessarily understand how to apply for these benefits. The first thing to do is determine if you even qualify for the program. This can be done by making a visit to your nearest welfare office.
These benefits are meant for the underprivileged, which means if you are without a job or work at a job that only provides a meager income, then chances are you will qualify. You will need to fill up an application form and bring certain documents, which include your last 4 payslips, proof of your income, savings account and other bank account statements, as well as the social security numbers of everyone in your household. After submitting your application for food stamp benefits, you will have to wait at least 30 days as your application is reviewed for approval.
Keep in mind that even if you are accepted into the program, you will still be reevaluated every 6 to 12 months to determine if there has been any change in your household's income. Once you receive your EBT card in the mail, you will need to activate it before you can begin using it. You can do this simply by calling the number in the letter that accompanied the card, similar to they way it is done with typical debit cards. Also, try to find out the exact date when the benefits will be loaded so you can learn when you can actually start using the card.
The food stamps program, now known as SNAP or the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, has been around for the last 35 years, providing assistance to low income households that find themselves challenged in obtaining basic needs, particularly food. The recent change, means that benefits are no longer actually provided through physical food stamps, but through an Electronic Benefit Transfer card. In some ways, this card functions like a regular debit card and is meant to allow you to go into any grocery store so you can purchase certain kinds of foods.
Of course, with these changes, even households that have long taken advantage of this program might not necessarily understand how to apply for these benefits. The first thing to do is determine if you even qualify for the program. This can be done by making a visit to your nearest welfare office.
These benefits are meant for the underprivileged, which means if you are without a job or work at a job that only provides a meager income, then chances are you will qualify. You will need to fill up an application form and bring certain documents, which include your last 4 payslips, proof of your income, savings account and other bank account statements, as well as the social security numbers of everyone in your household. After submitting your application for food stamp benefits, you will have to wait at least 30 days as your application is reviewed for approval.
Keep in mind that even if you are accepted into the program, you will still be reevaluated every 6 to 12 months to determine if there has been any change in your household's income. Once you receive your EBT card in the mail, you will need to activate it before you can begin using it. You can do this simply by calling the number in the letter that accompanied the card, similar to they way it is done with typical debit cards. Also, try to find out the exact date when the benefits will be loaded so you can learn when you can actually start using the card.
About the Author:
Live in Alabama or Alaska? Find out how to apply for food stamps in Alabama, or how to get Alaska food stamps today.
No comments:
Post a Comment