10 Facts You Should Know About the Food Stamp Program

Fact: The Food Stamp Program is not a welfare program. It is a nutrition assistance program designed to help low-income individuals and families buy and consume nutritious foods.

Fact: The Food Stamp Program is an entitlement program. In other words, everyone who applies and who is determined to be eligible will get food stamp benefits.

Fact: Food stamps are for eligible individuals and families, including the elderly, disabled, working households, certain legal immigrants and their U.S. born children

Fact: Individuals can own or buy a home and still get food stamps. The home and its lot are not counted as a resource in the Food Stamp Program. The Food Stamp Program does not require a person to sign away their home.

Fact: In 2000, elderly people who lived alone received an average of $44 a month; and, elderly people not living alone received an average benefit of $116 a month.

Fact: If an elderly or disabled person is not able to go to the food stamp office, he or she may request a telephone interview. The person may also ask a relative, pastor, neighbor, etc., to attend the interview as an authorized representative. Applicants for and recipients of SSI may also apply for food stamp benefits at the Social Security Office.

Fact: Medical expenses that exceed $35 a month may be deducted from the total of household income unless an insurance company or someone who is not a household member pays for them. The amount over $35 can be deducted.

Fact: The resources limit for households containing an elderly or disabled person is up to $3,000. The resource limit for all other households is up to $2,000.

Fact: Households can receive food stamps and still get Meals-on-Wheels, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits, and Child Nutrition benefits such as the School Lunch Program.

Fact: Receiving Food Stamp Program benefits will not make a household containing legal immigrants a Public Charge.