The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides a way for low-income families to purchase food.
The Food Stamp program, also known has the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), helps low-income families purchase food. Income, assets and the number of members in the household determine your eligibility. Purchasing food is done with an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.
Application
To receive benefits, you can file an application online, by mail or by fax. When mailing an application, it is necessary to send it to your local Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) office. You must complete an application within 30 days, however, you receive benefits based on the date the application is received at the DTA office. An interview is then set up with a caseworker at a local DTA office or over the phone.
Income Requirements
The maximum income limit depends on the number of household members and whether there are any children living in the home. For households with children, the maximum gross income for one person is $1,805 a month and for each additional member you add $624. For households with no adults over the age of 60 and no children, the maximum gross income for a single person is $1,174. For each additional member, add $406. Asset limits pertain to those who have a disabled person or individual over the age of 60 living in the home, and the gross income is above the income criteria.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, you must live in Massachusetts and be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen. Members of a household are people who live in a house, buy food and prepare meals together. Household members do not have to be related to be included on an application. You must meet specific work requirements, although some individuals are exempt, such as students, pregnant women and those with disabilities. Each household member must have a Social Security number.
Electronic Benefit Transfer Card
Each month, a recipient's benefits are loaded on to the EBT card. You use the card at grocery stores that accept Quest cards. A personal identification number is entered when purchasing groceries. The receipt will have the card's remaining balance printed on it. If you do not use all the benefits each month, the balance is rolled over into the next month. Benefits expire within one year if you do not use them. The card only works for food purchases.
Purchases
You may only purchase specific foods, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread and cereal, using your SNAP benefits. You may not purchase beer, wine, tobacco products, medicine, pet food or household supplies with your EBT card.
Tags: gross income, additional member, Assistance Program, Benefit Transfer, children maximum, children maximum gross