Food Assistance Overview - Social Services Agency (DEP)

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Food Assistance Overview

The Food Stamps Program helps single people and families with little or no income to buy food. In Santa Clara County, people authorized to receive Food Stamp benefits can buy food by using a plastic card at a grocery store or other authorized place. Most food stores accept the Food Stamp benefit card which is used much like a bank card—as good as cash to pay for food.

The eligibility information listed below will give you an idea of whether or not you may be eligible for Food Stamp benefits. However, eligibility for the program can only be fully evaluated by an Eligibility Worker at your local Social Services Agency Intake Office.

Note: If you have an immediate need for food, you may apply for Expedited Food Stamps, you may also want to check out what the Food Bank has to offer.

Applications

Food Stamp applications may be submitted to the county either in person, through an authorized representative by fax or by mail. Applications are available at your local Social Services Agency Intake Office or refer to the Attachments section below for an electronic copy.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

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Food Stamp benefits are provided to eligible, low-income “households.” A household can be one person, a group of people, a family, or any combination of people that buy and prepare food together. Children living with their parents are considered part of the same household until age 22.

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Most legal noncitizens can get Food Stamp benefits. Even if you can’t get Food Stamp benefits for yourself, family members born in this country can.

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Households with a person age 60 or older may have up to $3,000 in countable property. Other households may only have up to $2,000. Your home or your personal belongings such as your furniture, clothing, or jewelry are NOT counted. Also, vehicles are NOT counted as property. Cash and bank accounts are included as countable property.

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Most types of income are counted. Gross income means income before any deductions. Net income means gross income minus allowable deductions. Most households receiving CalWORKs cash aid are eligible for Food Stamps. Households without an elderly or disabled member must meet both a gross and a net income test. Households with an elderly or disabled member, only have to meet a net income test.

From October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009, the monthly income limits are:

People in Household	Gross Monthly Income	Net Monthly Income
1	$ 1127	$ 867
2	$ 1517	$ 1167
3	$ 1907	$ 1467
4	$ 2297	$ 1767
5	$ 2687	$ 2067
6	$ 3077	$ 2367
7	$ 3467	$ 2667

Effective October 1, 2008 Allowable deductions include:
•	20 % of earned income.
•	A standard deduction of $144 for households of 1- 3 persons; $147 for households of 4 persons; $172 for households of 5 persons; $197 for households of 6 or more persons.
•	Medical expenses over $35 a month for elderly or disabled members.
•	Dependent care costs No Limit
•	Legally owed child support.
•	A percentage of shelter costs.

Maximum Amount of Food Stamps That Eligible People May Receive

The table below is in effect from April 1, 2009, through September 30, 2009. It shows the most you could get if you have no income. As your income goes up, the amount of Food Stamp benefits you will get goes down.

People in Household	Maximum Monthly Allotment
1	$ 200
2	$ 367
3	$ 526
4	$ 668
5	$ 793
6	$ 952
7	$ 1,052

Statewide Fingerprint Imaging System (SFIS)

On August 1, 2000, fingerprinting and photo imaging became a requirement for adults applying for Food Stamp benefits and CalWORKs assistance. To receive Food Stamp or CalWORKs benefits, applicants must agree to have their fingerprints and photo images compared with the images of other welfare recipients in the Statewide Fingerprint Imaging System (SFIS) database.

This is a statewide eligibility requirement that is meant to prevent fraud by NOT paying cash aid or NOT authorizing Food Stamps for the same person in more than one case. SFIS information is highly confidential and WILL NOT be shared with other agencies.

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