Transcript Food Stamp Education and Outreach Program and Texas’ New

Food Stamp Education and
Outreach Program
and
Texas’ New Integrated
Eligibility Enrollment System
The Issue

Fewer people are participating in the Food Stamp
Program
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However, more people are relying on emergency
food shelves to feed themselves and their families.
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Many people who are eligible for food stamps are
not participating in the program.
What is Food Stamp Education
and Outreach all about?
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An effort to inform service providers
and
General low-income population including:
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•
elderly
working poor families
migrants,
and households with immigrant members
That help with buying food may be available to
them through the Food Stamp Program.
Food Stamp Education and
Outreach Program: Goal
To get the word out about the
program and to overcome the
many incorrect myths that keep
eligible individuals from applying
for benefits.
Why should my organization
get involved?

The Food Stamp Program is a nutrition assistance
program that plays a vital role in helping lowincome families purchase food.

The FSOEP brings Federal dollars into communities
in the form of benefits where are redeemed by
food stamp participants at local stores. These
benefits community, State, and Nation.

For example, every $5 in new food stamp benefits
generates $9.20 in total community spending.
Some of your guests may:
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Not have enough to eat
May be experiencing difficulties in making
ends meet for a number of reasons, such
as:
Job loss,
A job that pays low wages,
Divorce,
Loss of TANF benefits
Your guests can benefit from
the Food Stamp Program

Food buying resources that the FSP
can provide.
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Also, some of your guests may need
help applying for benefits or may
believe that they are not eligible
because of misinformation.
Your Organization
Can make a difference by helping
your guest learn the true facts about
this vital nutrition assistance
program.
What can my organization do to
help ?

Tell your low-income guests about the
benefits of the Food Stamp Program.
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Refer them to the Food Stamp
Outreach Worker located at the North
Texas Food Bank.
How does my organization
begin?
Start by learning more about the Food
Stamp Education and Outreach
Program.
Services Provided by the
FSOEP

Deliver presentations about Food Stamps
followed by an opportunity to make private
appointments for Application Assistance.

Address audiences/clients in their own
language.

Take the application process to the people
-Establishing application sites in the
community.
Services Provided by the FSOEP
(Cont.)

Provide general assistance in explaining the
application process.
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Assists with completing applications, gathering
interview information, and providing
pending/missing information.
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Serve as pick- up and drop- off point for
applications.
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DOES NOT DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
Pre-screening
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Estimate eligibility
and benefit amount
Materials to Distribute
FREE Of Charge
 brochures,
 flyers,
 posters.
How Do I Get Materials ?
Contact: Tina- Marie Sigler
Food Stamp Outreach Worker
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (214) 330- 1396 ext. 265
Texas’ New Eligibility
Integrated Enrollment System
Changes ahead for 2007
 New Eligibility System will be implemented in Dallas
County January 2007
 Will allow Texans to apply for services in person at
more than 200 state offices, through the Internet, over
the phone and by fax or mail.
 Look for more improvements in 2007.
Congressional Food Stamp
Funding 2007

Currently under funded by $2.8 billion
compared to 2006
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Still time to contact your Senators to
urge them to fully fund Food Stamps
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Come by Advocacy table for more
information.
Our Pledge to Our Community:
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Increase participation
among eligible people.
Promote nutrition
assistance and work
support
Overcome welfare
stigma
Benefits with dignity
and respect
Inform where and how
to apply