Food Stamp 
Program Assistance

For the latest and most up to date information, visit the USDA web site.

Any program to combat hunger must be part of a continuing Federal commitment to policies that generate full employment with full-time, year round, living-wage jobs. That kind economy has yet to be achieved, and, in the long run, is likely to be insufficient to meet the nutritional needs of all vulnerable populations. In a country that is not only rich but also a producer of food in marvelous abundance, widespread persistent hunger is simply unacceptable.

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Food Stamp Program
Summarized Eligibility Requirements

Households applying for or receiving food stamp benefits must meet all applicable eligibility requirements and must cooperate with the agency in establishing eligibility for food stamp assistance. Failure to meet these requirements can result in denial or termination of the food stamp case.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. Household Members. The food stamp household is composed of individuals who live together and purchase and prepare their meals together for home consumption. Certain individuals, such as spouses and children under age 22, must be included in one food stamp household regardless of their method of buying food and preparing meals.
  2. Strikers. Households with striking members shall be ineligible to participate in the Food Stamp Program, unless the household was eligible for benefits the day before the strike and is otherwise eligible at the time of application. However, the household shall not receive an increased allotment as a result of a decrease in income of the striking household member(s).
  3. Citizenship and Alien Status. Only U.S. citizens and eligible aliens may participate in the Food Stamp Program.
  4. Social Security Numbers. The household must furnish a Social Security Number for each household member. If a household member does not have a number, s/he must apply for one. The Social Security Number is used in computer matching and program reviews or audits to make sure the household is eligible for the food stamp benefits it receives.
  5. Residence. Households must apply for food stamps in the county in which they live. They cannot receive food stamps in more than one county in a month.
  6. Work Requirements. Unless otherwise exempt, each household member must be registered for work. Failure to cooperate with the work requirements may result in the entire household being disqualified from participation in the Food Stamp Program.

The entire household may be disqualified from participation in the program if an individual voluntarily quits a job or reduces the number of hours s/he works without good cause.

Unless exempt, certain food stamp recipients (between the ages of 18-50) who are able bodied and have no dependents are eligible to receive food stamps for only 3 months in a 36 month period if s/he is not working or participating in a work and training program for at least 20 hours a week. Individuals are exempt from this provision during the time they are medically certified as physically or mentally unfit for employment, or pregnant; parent or other household member with responsibility for a dependent child in the home under the age of 18 or physically or mentally disabled; participating and complying with work registration requirements of JOBS or UCB; caring for an incapacitated person; a student at least half-time in a recognized school, training program, or institution of higher education; participating in an alcohol/drug treatment program.

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. Income. Income limits vary according to the household size. Households that contain no elderly or disabled individuals must meet both the gross (income before deduction) and the net income (income after allowable deductions) limits. Households that contain an elderly (age 60 or over) individual or a disabled individual must meet only the net income limits. See table below for both the net and gross income limits according to household size. Income includes wages, salaries, commissions, social security benefits, SSI, veteran's benefits, child support, contributions, unemployment compensation, etc.

    Monthly Income Eligibility Limits
    Effective October 2004 - September 2005

    Household Size Gross Income Limits Net Income Limits
    1 $1009 $776
    2 $1354 $1041
    3 $1698 $1306
    4 $2043 $1571
    5 $2387 $1836
    6 $2732 $2101
    7 $3076 $2366
    8 $3421 $2631
    Each Additional Member $345 $265
  1. Deductions. Only the following are allowable deductions for food stamps:

  • Standard Deduction. Each household is allowed a standard deduction of $134.

  • Earned Income Deduction. This deduction is 20% of the gross earned income.

  • Self-Employment Deduction. Households with self-employment income are entitled to a standard deduction of 40% of the gross proceeds from the self-employment income as a cost of doing-business.

  • Medical Deduction. Elderly and/or disabled individuals may be entitled to a medical deduction for any verified non-reimbursable medical expense they incur during the certification period in excess of $35 per month,. if reported during the certification period in which they are incurred.

  • Dependent Care. The costs incurred (up to a maximum amount) for the care of a child or other dependent in order for a household member to work, seek employment, attend training, or pursue education that is preparatory for employment.

  • Child Support. Legally obligated child support paid by a household member to or for a non-household member

  • Shelter Costs. These costs include rent, mortgage, property taxes, insurance on the structure, utilities, etc.

  1. Resources. The maximum allowable resource limits of all household members shall not exceed $2,000 ($3,000 for households containing a member 60 or over). Resources include cash on hand, bank accounts, stocks, savings bonds, real property (other than home property), cars, boats, motorcycles vans, trailers, campers etc.

OTHER

  1. Application Processing. The application process includes completing an application, filing the form in the county in which the household lives, being inter-viewed, and having certain information verified. The application interview may be with a group of other applicants.

    Households that meet the following criteria will have their application acted on within 7 calendar days: households with less than $150 in monthly gross income and their liquid resources, such as cash or checking/savings' accounts are less than $100; the household's monthly rent/mortgage and utilities are more than the household's gross monthly income and liquid resources; the household is a destitute migrant or seasonal farm worker with less than $100 in liquid resources.

    All other households shall have their application acted upon within 30 days from the date they apply.

  2. Confidentiality and Disclosure of Information. All information given to the Department is confidential and any use or disclosure will be made only for certain limited purposes allowed under State or Federal laws and regulations. Such purposes include, but are not limited to, establishing eligibility, determining benefit amount and providing services to applicants and recipients. Information about how long you have received food stamps will be released to the State Employment Service for purposes of qualify@g your employer for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC).

  3. Allotment Amounts. The amount of food stamps a household actually receives depends on the number of people in the food stamp household and the amount of their net income.

  1. Authorized Representative. The, head of household, spouse, or other responsible household member may designate an authorized representative to, act on behalf of the household. This person may apply for benefits, obtain the benefits and/or use the benefits for the food stamp household.

  1. Quarterly Reporting. Some households have to report their household situation quarterly on a quarterly report form. These households have to report on a quarterly basis regardless of whether there have been any changes in their situation.

  1. Change Reporting. Households not required to quarterly report must report changes in their household situation within 10 days of the date the change becomes known to the household. These changes include someone moving into or out of the household, changes in income of $25 or more, acquisition of a vehicle, or when cash on hand, stocks, bonds and money in a checking or savings account exceed $2,000 ($3,000 if the household contains an elderly individual).

  1. Fair Hearings. A household not satisfied with agency action affecting its participation in the Food Stamp Program has the right to request a fair hearing within 90 days of the action being appealed. The request may be made orally or in writing to the County Department of Human Resources, Food Stamp Office or to the Department of Human Resources, Family Assistance Division, S. Gordon Persons Building, 50 Ripley Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36130-4000, telephone (334) 242-1700. The household's case may be presented by a household member or a representative, such as a legal counsel, a relative, a friend or other spokesperson. Free legal counsel may be available through Legal Services Corporation of Alabama.

  1. Ineligible Individuals. The following individuals are ineligible to receive food stamps:

  • Anyone who is fleeing to avoid prosecution, custody, or confinement after a felony conviction under the law.

  • Anyone in violation of his/her parole/probation.

  • Anyone found guilty -by a court of using food stamps to buy firearms, ammunition, or explosives These- individuals are permanently disqualified from receiving food stamp benefits.

  • Anyone using food stamps to buy illegal drugs may be disqualified from receiving food stamps from 2 years to permanently.

  • Anyone convicted of a Federal or State felony that has as an element the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance. These individuals are permanently disqualified from receiving food stamp benefits.

  • Anyone found guilty by a court of selling food stamps of $500 or more. These individuals are permanently disqualified from receiving food stamps.

  • Anyone who misrepresents his identity or residence in order to receive multiple food stamps benefits simultaneously. These individuals are ineligible to receive food stamp benefits for 10 years from the date of conviction.

  • Anyone physically and mentally fit between the ages of 18 and 50 not enrolled in an institution of higher education who does not meet certain eligible student criteria.

  • Anyone who does not meet citizenship or alien status requirements.

  • Anyone who refuses or fails without good cause to provide a social security number.

  • Anyone disqualified for not complying with work requirements. This includes voluntarily quitting a job or reducing the number of hours worked without good cause.

  • Anyone disqualified for violating program regulations.

  1. Over issuance. Any household who receives food stamp benefits to which they are not entitled may have to pay them back. In addition, any individual who receives food stamp benefits due to established fraud may be disqualified from participating in the Food Stamp Program from one year to permanently, subject to prosecution and/or other penalties.

 

The Food Stamp Program, like all programs and services of the Department of Human Resources is administered in full compliance with Title VI of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and all other Federal and State civil rights laws. "The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."