In general, your household must meet income,  and in some cases, resource guidelines in order to get food stamps. To receive food stamp benefits, you will have to apply for benefits. You can get an application at your local Department of Social Services (DSS).  In New York City, you can apply for food stamps by visiting your local Human Resources Administration (HRA) office.

If you are only applying for food stamps and not other help, you can fill out the shorter, food stamp only application. The food stamp only application is 6 pages long. The first 3 pages ask questions like who you are, who lives with you, what income and resources your household has, and what your living expenses are.

The other 3 pages contain important information about the Food Stamp Program (FSP), and receiving benefits.

The information about the FSP and receiving benefits should be read carefully. If you do not understand any of the information, a DSS/HRA worker can explain it to you. If you are having trouble completing the application, a DSS/HRA worker can help you.

It is important to remember that DSS/HRA must accept your application for food stamps if it at least contains your name, address (if you have one) and it is signed. The rest of the application will need to be completed, but that can be done later. It is usually best to file (turn in) your application as soon as possible.

Once your application is turned in, DSS/HRA must give you a written decision explaining whether or not you are eligible within 30 days. If you are eligible, generally you will receive benefits back to the date that your application was filed

Some households are eligible to receive food stamp benefits within 5 calendar days. Households who receive food stamps within 5 days do so under what is called expedited (fast) processing of their application. DSS/HRA is required to review all applications to see whether or not they qualify for expedited (fast) processing.

Households have to meet at least 1 of the following 3 requirements to have their application expedited:

1. Your household's gross monthly income, plus your liquid resource (money at home or in the bank, for example) must be less than your rent plus your utility expenses.
2. Your household expects to receive less than $150.00 in gross income in the month of application, and has less than $100.00 in liquid resources.
3. Your household consists of destitute migrant and/or seasonal farm workers, and you have less than $100.00 in liquid resources.

Please note, whether or not your household has food is not one of the requirements for receiving expedited (fast) food stamp benefits.  A household could have plenty of food and still qualify for expedited processing of their application. Likewise, your household could have little or no food and not qualify for fast food stamps.

If you have little or no food, make sure you let DSS/HRA know. If you are not eligible for expedited processing of your application, DSS/HRA may be able to meet your food needs under another program. DSS/HRA may also be able to meet your need by referring you to another agency that can help.

Again, to see if you can get food stamps, you will need to file an application with your local DSS/HRA.  If you live in Wayne County, and:

1. Would like to see if you may qualify for the Food Stamp Program, or
2. Need help applying, or
3. If you have been denied food stamp benefits, or
4. Would like more information

Please feel free to contact our Geneva office toll free: 1-866-781-5235. If you live in Monroe County, call our Rochester office Nutrition Outreach & Education Program at (585) 295-5624.   If you do not live in one of these counties, visit:  http://www.nutritionconsortium.org/FoodHelpNY.htm  to find help with the Food Stamp Program in your area.

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Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.

This article provides general information about this subject. Laws affecting this subject may have changed since this article was written. For specific legal advice about a problem you are having, get the advice of a lawyer.  Receiving this information does not make you a client of our office.