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If you want to get food stamp benefits, you should turn in an application at your local department of social services (DSS).  DSS is required to make food stamp applications available to anyone who asks for one.  If you cannot get to DSS, you can call and ask DSS to mail you an application. 

Be sure to turn in your application, even if the worker says you might not be eligible.Too many people who are eligible for food stamps never get them because they are incorrectly told they are not eligible.

You can also apply for food stamps at the nearest Social Security Administration office (SSA).  If you apply at the nearest SSA, they will forward your application to DSS for processing.  If you are applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), it may be easiest to apply for food stamps at the same time.

If you are having trouble filling out your application, you can ask a friend, family member, or another person to help you.  You can also ask DSS to help you with completing your application.  If you ask DSS for help, and you are told that they cannot assist you, ask to speak to a supervisor.    Also, keep in mind that DSS has to accept your application if it contains at minimum your name, address (if have one), and a signature.  You will need to fill out the rest of the information, but that can be done at a later date.  By turning in your application as soon as possible, you preserve what is known as your "filing date."  

For households determined eligible, food stamp benefits are provided back to the date that the application was filed. 

After you turn in (file) your application, DSS will review the information contained on it and schedule you an appointment for an eligibility interview.  Note:  if you are unable to make it to DSS for the interview, you should let DSS know as soon as possible.  DSS should reschedule the interview, or tell you that you do not need to come to the DSS office, but they will do it over the telephone.  If you are unable to make it to your interview and DSS will not reschedule or do it over the phone, do not give up.  Ask to speak to a supervisor.

Whether or not you go to DSS for your interview, or DSS conducts it over the telephone, you will need to turn in certain documents to support (verify) the information on your application.  Some of the more common documents needed are: wage statements showing a month's worth of pay; your Social Security award letter; Social Security Card; a driver's license or birth certificate; a rent receipt or lease; a heating or other utility bill; a recent bank statement.  If you do not have all the documents at the time of your interview, do not worry.  DSS will give you a written list of the documents that are still needed, and give you additional time to obtain them. 

If you have previously given DSS documents that do not change, for example, birth certificates and social security cards, then you should not have to provide them again.  Also, if DSS asks you to provide a document, and you have tried but cannot get it on your own, you can ask DSS to help you in getting it.  If the DSS worker tells you that he or she cannot help you, ask to speak to a supervisor.

Again, if you are interested in getting food stamp benefits, then you will need to obtain and file an application.  If you live in Wayne County, LAWNY may be able to help you by prescreening you for potential food stamp eligibility, completing and filing your application, assisting with obtaining needed documents, and going with you to your interview.  If you are interested in applying for food stamp benefits, and/or have been told that you are not eligible, please feel free to contact us at 1-866-781-5235.

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(c) 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.