Foodstamps
Income eligible program provides families with EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card to purchase food.
Eligibility Screening:
https://service.hhs.state.ma.us/ier/jsp/screening/ControllerServlet
Please Note: These screens are not official: they may be incorrect or incomplete. You cannot know for sure whether you are eligibile until you complete an application and recieve an answer from the DTA. The screening survey does not ask for personal information (name, social security etc. your information is anonymous). This survey is not an application.
BENEFIT LEVELS
Foodstamps are automatically deposited into an EBT - Electronic Benefits Transfer - account each month. EBT works like at debit card at grocery stores approved to take it.
Households are expected to spend approximately 30% of income on food.
The actual benefit for any family will depend on the number of people, income and assets.
2005 average benefit: $92 per person. $210 per household
Maximum Monthly Benefit
| People |
|
Amount |
| 1 |
|
$152 |
| 2 |
|
$278 |
| 3 |
|
$399 |
| 4 |
|
$506 |
| 5 |
|
$601 |
| 6 |
|
$722 |
| 7 |
|
$798 |
| 8 |
|
$912 |
| each + |
|
+$114 |
ELIGIBILITY
Houshold
Food stamp eligibility and benefits are calculated on the basis of a “household” – a group of people who live, prepare food and eat together. Whether or not a person is related is irrelevant to whether they are a member of the household.
Spouses who live together and children under 22 are automatically considered to belong to the same household, even if they cook and eat separately.
People who live together, but do all food shopping, cooking and eating separately may belong to different foodstamp households.
College Students
College students are subject to different eligibility guidelines than the rest of the population.
College students may still be eligible they are enrolled less than half-time.
If they are enrolled full-time they may still be eligible if:
- They are younger than 18 or older than 49
- They work more than 20 hours per week
- They get federal work study
- They are going to school under a government sponsored education/training program
- They are considered physically or mentally unable to work, demonstrated by receiving a disability benefit such as SSI or EAEDC or by a statement from a medical professional, counselor or social worker stating that they cannot work.
- They are considered unable to work based on participation in a vocational rehabilitation, mental health or drug/alcohol treatment program
- They receive TAFDC/TANF (welfare) benefits
- They are caring for a child under age 6
- They are caring for a child under age 11 and are a single parent attending school full-time OR can’t get childcare to cover both work and school hours.
Financial Eligibility
All applicants, students or not, must meet income and asset guidelines. These take into account both earnings and existing financial resources.
The following table is only a guide, as it does not account for differences in assets.
Monthly Gross Income Limits
| People |
|
Income |
| 1 |
|
$1037 |
| 2 |
|
$1390 |
| 3 |
|
$1744 |
| 4 |
|
$2097 |
| 5 |
|
$2450 |
| 6 |
|
$2803 |
| 7 |
|
$3156 |
| 8 |
|
$3509 |
| each + |
|
$354 |
APPLICATION
Fill out the application, submit it to your local Department of Transitional Assistance (you can submit it even if you don’t have all of your information or documents yet). DTA will contact you to arrange an interview. If you can not visit the DTA office during their business hours because of work, disability or lack of transportation, you can arrange to conduct your interview over the phone. If you are eligible and there are no problems with you application, you should have your Food stamps benefits within 30 days.
Department of Transitional Assistance
1-800-249-2007
Local Offices:
*72-100 Front Street
Holyoke, MA 01040
Ph: 413.552.5400
Fx: 413.784.1050
M-F 7:45am-5:00pm
*310 State Street
Springfield, MA 01105
Ph: 413.858.1300
Fx: 413.784.1049
M-F 8:00am – 5:00pm
*95 Liberty Street
Springfield, MA 01103
Ph. 413.858.1000
Fx. 413.784.1044
M-F 7:30am – 5:00 pm
You can also apply at local organizations:
- Providence Ministries (Margarets Pantry, Kate's Kitchen)
Roberto Clemente Lane
PO Box 6269
Holyoke, MA
413.536.9109
- Valley Opportunity Council (Lorraine's Soup Kitchen)
35 Center St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
413.536.9109
If anyone in the family recieves SSI, you can apply at your local Social Security Office
Social Security
200 High St. - 2nd Floor
Holyoke
PH: 413.536.3649
1.800.772.1213 (TTY)
Documentation
To apply you will need to show some of these documents, your DTA worker can tell you which ones you will need.
- Identity: Drivers License, Health Care ID Card, Birth certificate for Head of Household
- Social Security numbers: NOTE: You do not need to have the cards, but you must provide a number for everyone in your household who is applying.
- Immigration Status (for non-citizens in the household applying for foodstamps)
- Proof of earned income : Paystubs for last four weeks, Statement from employer
- Proof of other income: Copies of checks for benefits, child support or alimony, Copy of tax return or business records for self-employed income
- Proof of assets: Bank (or credit union) statement for checking, savings, retirement accounts, Statements of stocks, bonds or dividends
- Shelter/Housing costs: Rent receipt, Lease , Mortgage
- Utility costs: Bills for oil/gas, electricity, phone
- Medical expenses (for household members over age 60 or disabled): Health insurance payments, Bills/receipts for eye glasses, prescription or over the counter medications, Costs of transportation to medical appointments
- Child care expenses: Canceled check or statement from provider, Court ordered child support payments
RIGHTS & APPEALS
- Everyone has the right to apply, even if it turns out you are not eligible. You can apply for others in your household, even if you are not eligible.
- Benefits start from the date DTA receives your application, if you are approved
- You can file your application even if it’s not complete – it needs only your name, address and signature.
- You can apply for food stamps even if you have been denied by other programs including: TAFDC or MassHealth
- You have a right to know how your application is processed and how your benefits will be determined
- You can give someone else permission (must be in writing and filed with the DTA) for someone else to apply for you and/or be able to access your benefits for you
- You can conduct your interview over the phone if you cannot get to the DTA during business hours.
- You can have an interpreter if English is not your first language or if you use ASL. You may (but do not have to) bring a friend or relative to act as this interpreter.
- The information you submit is confidential
Appeals
If you are denied by DTA, you will receive written notice within 30 days of the date you submitted your application.
You have 90 days to file your appeal
If you lose your appeal, or decide not to file, you can reapply at any time.
OTHER RESOURCES
- Project Bread: (800) 645-8333
- Gettingfoodstamps.org
- Masslegalhelp.org/income-benefits
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