Federal Benefits Chart
Food Stamps Overview
The Food Stamp Program enables low-income individuals to access funds for purchasing food for themselves and their family members. The program is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered through state agencies.
Key Decision Points
- Upon incarceration = benefit eligibility suspended or terminated depending on state or local policy
- 30 days of incarceration = benefit eligibility terminated if previously suspended
- 30 days prior to release = new applications begun
Federal Funding Agency
Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Relevant State/Local Agency, Office, and Contacts
Use the space below to write notes about which state/local agency or office oversees this benefit in your area and any related contacts. You can print this page for your records or log in to save your response for future reference.
Features
The Food Stamp Program provides cash assistance for food to low-income households and to those making the transition from welfare to work. Individuals receive electronic benefits they can use like cash at most grocery stores to purchase certain foods.
See also Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSET), which offers training, education, job search assistance, and work experience opportunities to food stamp recipients.
Eligibility
- Income
Applicants must reside in a household that has no more than $2,000 in countable resources, such as a bank account. Net monthly income must be 100 percent or less of federal poverty guidelines ($1,431 per month for a household of three in most places, effective October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008). Net income is calculated by subtracting from a household's gross income a number of approved deductions, including childcare, some shelter costs, and other expenses. Most able-bodied adult applicants must meet certain work requirements.
Those with an income of less than $150 in the month they apply or assets of less than $100 per month, or who do not earn enough to cover the cost of housing and bills, are likely eligible for "expedited” service. This means they will receive food stamps within seven days of application, as opposed to the normal 30 days.
Potential Limitations
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (the 1996 "welfare law") created a lifetime ban on food stamp benefits for anyone convicted of a drug felony after August 22, 1996. However, states have flexibility to opt out of or modify this federal provision to enable individuals with felony drug convictions who meet other eligibility criteria to access some or all food stamp benefits. For more information, see the Report of the Re-Entry Policy Council, Policy Statement 24.
The 1996 welfare law also prohibits states from providing food stamp benefits to anyone who is in legal violation of his or her probation or parole.
Examples
Project RIO (Tex.): Case managers for Project RIO, an employment program for individuals who have been released from jails and prisons, refer job seekers to the state’s Health and Human Services Commission for food stamp eligibility determination.
For more information: http://www1.va.gov/visns/visn03/homelessivoi.asp.
The Justice Center does not endorse or promote any particular program.