SNAP Eligibility

Louise Hayes Community Legal Services [email protected]

Who Can Get Food Stamps

?

• Almost everyone who is low income and has few assets • Exceptions: – Some immigrants – Some students – Some folks with certain criminal histories or who have broken FS rules

Who Must Apply Together?

Everyone who: 1- lives together and 2- purchases and prepares food together Some special rules: • Kids under 22 living with parents

must

the parents’ household be part of • Spouses living together must always apply together

Special Rules for Certain People

• Students (may be ineligible unless…) • Homeless (eligible even if in a shelter) • People fleeing felony prosecution or violating probation or parole • Work rules. None for now; may change.

Eligibility for Immigrants

• Legal (“qualified”) immigrants are eligible after five years; some are eligible right away.

• Eligible right away: – Children under 18 – People in humanitarian immigration categories (refugees, asylees) – People receiving disability benefits (12 mo. or more) • Ongoing advocacy around this issue – please call me

PA CAP

• PA CAP (= Combined Application Project) is

automatic

SNAP benefits for single people on SSI. No need to apply, no semi-annual reports.

• Computer match sends SNAP based on what SSA knows of housing costs.

– SSI-only, rent < $196 – SSI-only, rent > $196 – SSI + soc sec, rent < $196 – SSI + soc sec, rent > $196 $92 in SNAP $164 in SNAP $83 in SNAP $155 in SNAP • Tip: report change in rent to welfare office to get moved into better category.

Asset Limit

• This test was reinstated as of May 1, 2012

.

now

$5,500

for most households,

$9,000

Asset limit for households with an elderly or disabled member.

• The following assets

do not count

: • Residence, • Retirement funds, • Life insurance, • One car per household, • Burial plots, • Income-producing property, • Inaccessible resources (less than $1,500 equity value), • Tax refunds, and more.

• See DPW’s SNAP Handbook § 540.5, available online.

How Quickly Can You Get Food Stamps?

• Usually within 30 days of application: apply early to get things started.

• In some cases, within 5 days or less (“expedited FS”): – Shelter costs (including standard utility allowance) exceed monthly income and cash on hand – <$100 on hand and <$150 in gross monthly income – Migrant farmworker with <$100 on hand and no job for the next 10 days

Application Process

• Can apply in person, by mail, or online: www.compass.state.pa.us

• Need interview. Usually by phone: push to reschedule if can’t make it! Tip: put request for new interview in writing.

• Need verification. Rules are flexible – see SNAP Handbook ch. 578.

• Verify ID, residence, income, assets, immigration status. Sometimes more.

Keeping Benefits

• Should get semi-annual reporting (SAR) form after 6 months.

• Return the SAR form (or the Late/Incomplete Notice) timely or risk suspension of SNAP!

• Yearly “recertification.” Interview required. – Benefits will not continue even if quickly appeal cutoff at end of cert. period. Make sure you reapply.

• Between SARs/ recerts: report if income exceeds 130% of the poverty level. No other reports required for SNAP (but maybe for MA or TANF). – Report by 10 th day of month after the month of change.

EBT

Problems with card: call 1-888-EBT-PENN. Also http://www.ebtaccount.jpmorgan.com/ – balance inquiries – last 10 transactions – report lost/stolen cards