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Food Stamp Program
What are Food Stamps?
Food stamps, which used to be issued in coupon form, are now issued
as a monthly credit. A swipe card is issued and used in participating
grocery and food stores to purchase food and other items that the
Food Stamp program covers. The Food Stamp program provides additional
buying power to low income households in order to increase their
food budget. Individuals and families may be eligible for food
stamps if they meet certain income guidelines and if they have
monthly expenses which do not allow for a sufficient food budget.
How soon can I receive Food Stamps?
If your household has little or no income or resources (i.e.,
under $100 in income and or $150 in resources) or if your combined
PAID rent and utilities is higher than the combined household resources
and income in the month you are applying, you must be reviewed
for expedited Food Stamps upon request. The caseworker must give
a decision on the expedited Food Stamps at the time of the screening.
Federal Law requires issuance of expedited Food Stamps as soon
as possible within 5 to 7 days of application (day of screening).
How do I apply?
The Food Stamp Program has a designated office called F15 for
SSI recipients. This office processes, by mail, the applications
and recertifications of SSI "Live-Alone" households, meaning households
consisting of an individual SSI recipient or of a couple who both
receive SSI. The number for the SSI Food Stamp Office service line
is 718/722-4009 or 718/722-4010. All questions, applications and
recertifications can be handled BY MAIL. The address is:
Food Stamp Program
SSI Office F-15
233 Schermerhorn Street, 2nd floor
Brooklyn, New York 11201
But I'm not receiving SSI.
There is also a Homebound Unit (F-63) for disabled persons who
ARE NOT RECEIVING SSI. You do not have to be homebound to apply
through this office. You need only to be disabled and not receiving
SSI. You may be receiving SSDI, NYSD, or private disability insurance
payments. The Homebound unit processes all applications and recertifications
by mail. The telephone service line number for the Homebound
Unit is 718/237-7578.
The address is:
Food Stamp Program, Homebound Unit F-63
215 Duffield Street
Brooklyn, New York, 11201
How do I get an application?
Upon telephone or written request, you will be mailed an application
kit which includes the application form and instructions. If you
are already receiving food stamps you will be mailed the kit automatically
at the time you are due for recertification. You complete the application,
attach verification documents (photocopies are acceptable) and
mail it back in the stamped, self-addressed envelope which is included
in the packet.
Application kits can be obtained by calling the HRA Infoline:
1-877-472-8411 or any Food Stamp Program office.
How much money can I have?
Households may have up to $2,000 in resources (cash, stocks and
bonds etc.). The limit is $3,000 for households with a member 60
years or older, or who is disabled. Households exceeding these
limits are not eligible for food stamps.
The following resources ARE NOT counted: the home the applicant
lives in and its surrounding lot, household goods, and personal
belongings.
Examples of resources which MAY COUNT are: money in checking and
savings accounts, stocks and bonds, and land and buildings other
than the applicant's residence.
NOTE: Bank books, checking or brokerage account statements are
documents which can serve as proof of assets. Documents verifying
resources must be current-dated within 60 days of application.
Basic eligibility rules and the kinds of proof that will be required
for application are listed below.
NOTE: Documentation must be dated within the last two months,
with the sole exception of SSDI or SSI award letters, which may
be older.
Required documents:
- SSDI/SSI Award letters
- Lease (if the apartment is in the applicant's name). If the
lease is in a roommate's name, a statement from the roommate
regarding the living situation is required. This statement should
indicate that the applicant and the roommate share rent and utilities
(state amounts) and that food is purchased and prepared separately.
- Recent rent receipts
- Recent electric and gas bills
- Most recent checking and bank account statements
Social Security Numbers:
A social security number is required for every household member.
A social security card or SSI/SSDI award letter may serve as verification
of Social Security number.
Can I get Food Stamps if I am an immigrant?
As of April, 2003, lawful permanent residents (LPRs) who have
lived in the country for five years became eligible for Food Stamps,
provided they meet all of the usual program requirements. In addition
to LPRs who have been here for five years, the following legal
immigrants are also eligible for Food Stamps.
- Refugees and asylees are eligible immediately upon entry into
the United States.
- Veteran and active duty military personnel, their spouses
and minor unmarried children are eligible immediately upon
- Entry into the United States
- Native Americans born in Canada or Mexico who are entitled
by treaty to reside in the U.S. are eligible immediately upon
entry into the United States.
- Hmong or Highland Loation tribe members, their spouses, unmarried
dependent children, and unremarried surviving spouses are eligible
immediately upon entry into the United States; and
- VAWA (Violance Against Woman Act) petitioners: Immigrant women
or children who have been battered or subject to extreme cruelty
by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or parent,
AND have pending or approved VAWA cases or family-based petitions
before the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS)
requesting LPR status, providing they have lived in the country
for at least five years.
On October, 2003, all legal immigrant children are eligible for
Food Stamps immediately upon entry into the United States. (In
1998, Congress restored Food Stamp eligibility to legal immigrant
children who entered the United States before August 22, 1996.)
Before applying for Food Stamps, individuals should get more information
about eligibility for citizenship from one of the following three
organizations:
- N.Y. Legal Assistance Group: 212/750-0800
- Lawyers Committee for Human Rights: 212/629-6170
- N.Y. Association for New Americans: 212/425-5051
How do they calculate the amount I'll get?
After all the household income is totaled, certain deductions
will be subtracted as follows:
- Standard deduction of $134 to cover basic household expenses
(effective October 1, 2003);
- A 20% deduction from earned income (wages, salary);
- Dependent care costs of up to $200 for each child under 2
years old, $175 per month for dependents of other ages;
- A portion of high shelter costs with a maximum of $250 (no
maximum if anybody in the household is medically disabled or
their age is 60 or older). Households with members who are DISABLED
or 60 YEARS OR OLDER may be eligible for additional deductions;
- Unreimbursed medical costs over $35 per month, for example
doctor bills, Medicare Part B payments, private insurance premiums,
cost of meals for a home attendant and transportation to doctors
or clinics;
- A portion of high shelter costs (unlimited amount) If an applicant's
expenses exceed his or her income, the Food Stamp Program will
ask how he or she is managing to live. The applicant may be using
savings or someone else may be contributing or the applicant
may not be paying the billed expense. An application is not automatically
rejected if the applicant's expenses exceed the income. However,
there must be a reasonable explanation of how the applicant is
able to support himself or herself.
What else?
Everything can be handled by mail if
the application is sent to the SSI Food Stamp Office (F-15) or
the Homebound Unit (F-63). The Food Stamp Program does not assign
specific caseloads to workers. Any worker in the service unit who
answers the phone can review the case and answer questions.
Food Stamp applications are processed on a "first in, first out" basis.
If more information or documentation is required, a written notice
will be sent to you. The Food Stamp Program must accept or reject
a case within 30 days of receipt of a signed application. However,
you must answer all requests for information as soon as possible.
If you don't, it will take longer to process your application.
Questions?
The Human Resources Administration operates a Helpline for callers
with questions about Food Stamps and other entitlement programs:
1-877-472-8411.
The Client Advocacy Unit at GMHC is available to assist
you. For more information, please call our Helpline: 212/367-1125,
Wednesdays 2 pm to 5:30 pm. Walk-in services are availableTuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am to 1 pm.
Revised 3/07
© 2007 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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