How To Apply For Food Stamps

By: Clarissa Wilson

Break Studios Contributing Writer

How to apply for food stamps? We all need help every once in a while when it comes to certain things such as food, utilities, and even clothing. Asking for help and applying for food stamps shouldn't be a shameful act. Food stamps can help feed a person's family when times are tough. Applying for food stamps can be a simple process if you have the right items when going to the interview. Do not be embarrassed when asking for help to feed you and your family.

Supplies:

Identification
Proof of income
Proof of child care expenses if you have children
Rent receipts or mortgage payments proof
Utility bills
Medical bills for those who are age 60 or over

Make an appointment. Once you make the decision to apply for food stamps you will need to call your local Social Security office or Welfare Office to schedule an appointment. The welfare office is also known as the Department of Job and Family Services. You can also stop in to schedule an appointment. Once you schedule an appointment, a caseworker will be assigned to you.
Fill out the food stamp application. Once you get to your scheduled appointment you will be given an application to fill out. You can fill out this application in the waiting area while you wait for your caseworker to come and get you.
Have an interview with your caseworker. The caseworker will look over your application and ask you questions regarding the application. They will also ask for the required items you brought with you to the interview. These items include identification such as driver's license for you and your family, or a birth certificate or state I.D. If you are an immigrant you will need to provide the caseworker with your alien card. You Will also need to provide proof of income for you and other adults living in your household. This can include pay stubs or proof you are getting disability payments from social security. Other items needed for the interview process include proof of child care if you have children and are using child care, utility bills such as an electric bill, gas bill, or a phone bill. Rent receipts or proof of mortgage payments will also be asked for and if anyone in your household is over the age of 60, you will need to show proof of medical bills.
Wait. Once you are done with the interview process, you will need to go home and wait until you get an approval or denial letter. If you are approved for food stamps, the letter will also inform you of how much food stamps you will be receiving each month.
Re-apply. Every six months you will need to go back to your caseworker at the welfare office and re-apply. You will have to bring the same things you brought when you first applied for food stamps. The caseworker will ask you if anything has changed and will then inform you if you will be able to still receive food stamps every month. If you are making more money at your job or have a better job you will have to inform your caseworker of these changes so he or she can make changes to your case. If you lost your job or got a pay cut, you will also have to let your caseworker know about this. Informing your caseworker of these changes will let you know if there will be any changes made to your food stamps. Depending on your answers and your current living situation, they will either raise or drop your food stamps, or they will stay the same.