One important part of the food stamp stimulus measures is that working families can now apply for food stamps with a phone call. Ask your local phone providers about the numbers for the local food stamps office or processing center, and you will be able to start on your food stamp application while on the phone.
Recent changes
In the past, for one reason or the other, you may have not qualified for food stamp assistance. However, there have been changes that may allow you to qualify for the food stamp program.
- Having savings or a retirement account is not a factor anymore, as long as your monthly income qualifies.
- Childcare costs will be deducted from your income statement, so that you can get more benefits for your food stamps application.
- The food stamp stimulus will temporarily increase benefits by around 13 percent. As an example, the minimum benefit in some states will increase to $16.
- Interviews with caseworkers can now be done through a phone call.
SNAP!
As of Oct. 1, 2008, the food stamp program has been renamed as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Their updated directives are as follows:
- The focus is now on nutrition and making healthy food affordable to low income families.
- SNAP is the national name, though state names for the program may be different.
- Benefits are now mostly provided through the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, much like an ATM card. The EBT food stamp card is accepted in most groceries.
- Through partnership with nutrition education advocates and programs, SNAP helps educate people on how to make healthy lifestyle choices.
SNAP puts healthy food on the table for around 28 million people each month, and for every $1 spent in the food stamp program, $1.73 goes back to the local community businesses.
