The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is also known as food stamps. This is a program that works with state and local agencies to help prevent domestic hunger. There are millions of people who meet the income eligibility requirements and receive SNAP benefits.
The History of the Food Assistance Program
The food assistance program began way back in 1933, way back during the Great Depression. Back then, it wasn't called food stamps for SNAP. It was called the Federal Surplus Relief Corporation. Back then, they worked a bit different than the SNAP program does today. In 1933, the government issued orange stamps that people were able to purchase. The stamps cost the same amount that a person would typically spend on food. When a person bought $1 worth of orange stamps, they would also receive $0.50 in blue stamps. While you could use your orange stamps to buy the foods that you needed, there were restrictions on the blue stamps. The blue stamps were used only for surplus items such as eggs, vegetables, beans, flour, and meal. The original program was thought up and executed by Henry Wallace, the Secretary of Agriculture. In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt saw how well the program was working out and he got behind the program. When the President got on board, they changed the name to the New Deal Program. When the economy began to boom in 1943, the program was no longer necessary, and it came to an end.
In 1961, the program was resurrected. President John F. Kennedy started the program again to help people in need who lived in the pilot states across the country. When the program was officially accepted by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964, the program was renamed The Great Society Program. This was also the first time that the program was referred to as the Food Stamp Act and the program was funded by the Federal Government. Over the years, the program has changed and regulations have been added, however, the concept of having a food assistance program for the needy dates all the way back to 1933.
SNAP Income Eligibility
Today, there are around 45 million Americans who are receiving SNAP benefits. In order for a person to be eligible for SNAP benefits, their income must fall under the SNAP guidelines. In order for a person to be eligible, they must pass 6 areas to be approved for benefits.
- A family cannot have more than $2,250 in countable resources. If they are elderly or disabled, they cannot have more than $3,250 in countable resources.
- The individual can have one vehicle, however, they cannot have a lien on their vehicle and it cannot be worth more than $4,650.
- In order for a person to qualify, they must meet gross and net income levels. To qualify, you must be at 100-130 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. It is important to understand that these guidelines are higher in Alaska and Hawaii in the other 48 states.
- An average family of four can receive up to $649 per month in SNAP benefits. A family of one can receive up to $194 per month in SNAP benefits.
- To receive SNAP benefits, recipients must repay the government by working. To get benefits, you must work at least 20 hours per week. If you are unable to find a position, your local center can help you find a volunteer position. If you have a doctor's note stating that you cannot work, you would be exempt. The elderly and the disabled are also exempt from working.
Applying For SNAP Benefits
All areas have a local Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and most are located in the Department of Human Services building. If you want to apply, you can do so right in the office. If you aren't sure if your family is eligible, you can use a screening tool available online to see if you fall within the income guidelines. Using the tool can save you a great deal of time and energy by finding out before you visit the office to apply. If the tool determines that you are eligible, you can apply right online if it is more convenient for you.
If you have an income of less than $150 per month or if you are a migrant worker, you could receive expedited benefits, which means that you can get your benefits immediately. To qualify for expedited benefits, you also must have less than $100 in the bank. If you don't qualify for expedited benefits, you should start receiving your benefits within 30 days of the date that you submitted your application.
Buying Groceries Using Your SNAP Benefits
When using your SNAP benefits, there are certain guidelines that need to be followed. While you can buy sugary foods and soda with your SNAP benefits, legislation is trying to create new guidelines making these types of foods restricted. Also, you cannot buy any taxable items with your SNAP benefits. This includes soap, cleaning products, pet products, toiletries, and feminine products. Also, prepared foods cannot be bought. Finally, you cannot use your SNAP benefits to purchase medicine, vitamins, cigarettes or tobacco, wine, beer, or liquor.
Currently, there is no limit as to how long a family can receive SNAP benefits, however, a single person who is capable of working can only receive benefits for three months out of three years.
The SNAP program is very important to both families and individuals. Without it, there are people all over the country who would go hungry, including children. While the limits and the benefit amounts tend to be low, the SNAP program has been providing food to millions of people every year.
The History of the Food Assistance Program
The food assistance program began way back in 1933, way back during the Great Depression. Back then, it wasn't called food stamps for SNAP. It was called the Federal Surplus Relief Corporation. Back then, they worked a bit different than the SNAP program does today. In 1933, the government issued orange stamps that people were able to purchase. The stamps cost the same amount that a person would typically spend on food. When a person bought $1 worth of orange stamps, they would also receive $0.50 in blue stamps. While you could use your orange stamps to buy the foods that you needed, there were restrictions on the blue stamps. The blue stamps were used only for surplus items such as eggs, vegetables, beans, flour, and meal. The original program was thought up and executed by Henry Wallace, the Secretary of Agriculture. In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt saw how well the program was working out and he got behind the program. When the President got on board, they changed the name to the New Deal Program. When the economy began to boom in 1943, the program was no longer necessary, and it came to an end.
In 1961, the program was resurrected. President John F. Kennedy started the program again to help people in need who lived in the pilot states across the country. When the program was officially accepted by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964, the program was renamed The Great Society Program. This was also the first time that the program was referred to as the Food Stamp Act and the program was funded by the Federal Government. Over the years, the program has changed and regulations have been added, however, the concept of having a food assistance program for the needy dates all the way back to 1933.
SNAP Income Eligibility
Today, there are around 45 million Americans who are receiving SNAP benefits. In order for a person to be eligible for SNAP benefits, their income must fall under the SNAP guidelines. In order for a person to be eligible, they must pass 6 areas to be approved for benefits.
- A family cannot have more than $2,250 in countable resources. If they are elderly or disabled, they cannot have more than $3,250 in countable resources.
- The individual can have one vehicle, however, they cannot have a lien on their vehicle and it cannot be worth more than $4,650.
- In order for a person to qualify, they must meet gross and net income levels. To qualify, you must be at 100-130 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. It is important to understand that these guidelines are higher in Alaska and Hawaii in the other 48 states.
- An average family of four can receive up to $649 per month in SNAP benefits. A family of one can receive up to $194 per month in SNAP benefits.
- To receive SNAP benefits, recipients must repay the government by working. To get benefits, you must work at least 20 hours per week. If you are unable to find a position, your local center can help you find a volunteer position. If you have a doctor's note stating that you cannot work, you would be exempt. The elderly and the disabled are also exempt from working.
Applying For SNAP Benefits
All areas have a local Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and most are located in the Department of Human Services building. If you want to apply, you can do so right in the office. If you aren't sure if your family is eligible, you can use a screening tool available online to see if you fall within the income guidelines. Using the tool can save you a great deal of time and energy by finding out before you visit the office to apply. If the tool determines that you are eligible, you can apply right online if it is more convenient for you.
If you have an income of less than $150 per month or if you are a migrant worker, you could receive expedited benefits, which means that you can get your benefits immediately. To qualify for expedited benefits, you also must have less than $100 in the bank. If you don't qualify for expedited benefits, you should start receiving your benefits within 30 days of the date that you submitted your application.
Buying Groceries Using Your SNAP Benefits
When using your SNAP benefits, there are certain guidelines that need to be followed. While you can buy sugary foods and soda with your SNAP benefits, legislation is trying to create new guidelines making these types of foods restricted. Also, you cannot buy any taxable items with your SNAP benefits. This includes soap, cleaning products, pet products, toiletries, and feminine products. Also, prepared foods cannot be bought. Finally, you cannot use your SNAP benefits to purchase medicine, vitamins, cigarettes or tobacco, wine, beer, or liquor.
Currently, there is no limit as to how long a family can receive SNAP benefits, however, a single person who is capable of working can only receive benefits for three months out of three years.
The SNAP program is very important to both families and individuals. Without it, there are people all over the country who would go hungry, including children. While the limits and the benefit amounts tend to be low, the SNAP program has been providing food to millions of people every year.
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