Food Stamp Program

1. Food Stamp Program Vision y Compromiso: Promotoras/Community Health Workers Network

2. Food Stamp Program The Food Stamp Program is a supplemental nutrition program. While in California it is still known as the Food Stamp Program, it is now nationally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It is a program designed to help low income individuals and families obtain and consume nutritious foods. It provides a monthly benefit card based on income, expenses and the number of members in the family.

3. Who is Eligible to Receive Food Stamps? Families Single adults Those who work full/part time Unemployed Elderly or disabled (60 and older) Homeless College students Working 20 hours per week

4. Important Facts About the Food Stamp Program It is not a social assistance program (like welfare) The Food Stamp Program is a Nutrition Assistance program Therefore, households that get food stamps are NOT a public burden, it does not affect recipients� eligibility for other programs or procedures including immigration proceedings.

5. Important Facts (Cont.) All individuals that apply for food stamps must have (or be applying for) social security numbers and must be legal residents. Individuals who are not legal residents but who have children born in the United States may apply. Do offices in CA assist applicants in obtaining the SSNs? Jessica, do you happen to know the answer? Do offices in CA assist applicants in obtaining the SSNs? Jessica, do you happen to know the answer?

6. Important Facts (Cont.) Immigration status for individuals receiving food stamps for their children will not be affected. Immigration information will not be shared with the immigration authorities. To apply for food stamps for US born children, it is necessary to have their social security numbers and/or birth certificates, as well as information regarding their immigration status (only for them).

7. Important Facts (Cont.) If someone in the household was sponsored for immigration proceedings, that person must show the sponsor�s income in the application process. IMPORTANT Household members who do not wish to involve the sponsor, have the option to request food stamps for family members who were not sponsored.

8. Important Facts (Cont.) People who apply for food stamps can own the home where they live or can buy one. The house and land where it is built are not counted as resources. People who obtain Food Stamps can still be eligible to apply for other food programs such as Meals on Wheels, WIC, or for children�s nutritional programs such as school meals.

9. Important Facts (Cont.) Senior citizens or disabled persons may request a phone interview or have a friend or relative go to the office. This person is called an authorized representative. Other households should also have the option of authorizing an authorized representative. For example, those employed. Medical expenses (for elderly and disabled) greater than $35 per month can be deducted from total income.

10. 5 Steps for Clients to Obtain Food Stamps Benefits 1. Attend orientation sessions to get information� Community health workers (CHWs) and promotoras will schedule sessions to answer questions, explain the process, and will provide assistance in filling out the applications. Are all promotoras in this project required to fill out application forms? Will there be any pre-screening? Are all promotoras in this project required to fill out application forms? Will there be any pre-screening?

11. 5 Steps� (Cont.) 2. Gather the documents To verify identity To verify income To verify expenses To verify residence in this county To verify immigration status To verify assets NOTE it is possible for the same document to serve in several categories. For example, a driver�s license may verify identify and address.