Food Stamps are part of a federally funded program which provides monthly benefits to families and individuals who need assistance in buying food. Food Stamp benefits are available to American citizens and some categories of legal aliens if they meet program guidelines. Food Stamp benefits amounts are based on the "Thrifty Food Plan" as defined by the federal government. Benefits amounts are standardized across the country.
A food stamp household is made up of all individuals who purchase and prepare food together. This includes, applicants and spouses (including common law), applicants and their children under age 22 and siblings under age 22.
The maximum allowable asset limit is $2,000 per household. A household with at least one member age 60 or over is allowed assets of $3,000.
Assets include bank accounts, stocks and bonds.
Assets which are not counted include the residence, cash value of life insurance, burial plots and most vehicles.
All earned and unearned income (including Public assistance benefits) is counted in the Food Stamp eligibility determination. A disregard of 20 percent is applied to earned income. Child care and medical expenses are also taken into consideration.
Living expenses such as rent, mortgage, utilities, taxes, and insurance or medical insurance premiums are considered for aged and disabled applicants of all the above is required.
The Food stamp act requires that all able bodied adults and individuals who are recipients of non-public assistance food stamps age 18-60 who are not fully employed must participate in the Food Stamp Employment and Training Program. This also includes individuals 16 or 17 years of age who are not attending school and who are members of an eligible household. There are several components to this program, including job search. Failure to comply with these program requirements mean the loss of food stamp benefits. There are exemptions to the program for illness, age, etc.
A household not categorically eligible and without an elderly or disabled member must meet both the gross and net income standards of column A and B below.
A household not categorically eligible with an elderly or disabled member has to meet only the net standard of column B.
H/H size | Max. Gross Monthly Income(A) | Max. Net Monthly Income(B) | Monthly Income Separate Household(C) | Max. Allotment Food Plan(D) |
1 | $1,037 | $798 | $1,316 | $152 |
2 | $1,390 | $1,070 | $1,765 | $278 |
3 | $1,744 | $1,341 | $2,213 | $399 |
4 | $2,097 | $1,613 | $2,661 | $506 |
5 | $2,450 | $1,885 | $3,109 | $601 |
6 | $2,803 | $2,156 | $3,558 | $722 |
7 | $3,156 | $2,428 | $4,006 | $798 |
8 | $3,509 | $2,700 | $4,454 | $912 |
Note: The maximum gross and net income figures are not used for computing the food stamp allotment. They are included as a reference for determining the household's eligibility.
Each new applicants must be screened for expedited food stamps. An applicant must be a resident and have no income or have expenses which exceed the gross monthly income in the month of application in order to qualify. Expedited benefits must be made available to eligible recipients by the 7th day following the date of application.
In Maryland, recipients may access their benefits through a plastic card known as the Independence Card. This card may be used in any participating food market or grocery store. It is used as a debit card and the recipient's purchase is subtracted from the benefit. A representative may receive training in the use of the card.
Revised September 11, 2006
Courthouse 