The Food Stamp Program in Missouri is available to low income individuals and families. The program is part of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides money to purchase food. To be eligible for the Food Stamp Program, an applicant must meet specific requirements.
Application
Obtain an application through the Family Support Division in your county and fill it out to determine if you are eligible for services. The application is also used to establish the amount of food stamp benefits you are qualified to receive. List the number of people living in the home and the total income on the application. Include monthly expenses such as rent or mortgage, utility bills, child daycare costs, and child support. An application takes up to 30 days to process.
Uses
Purchasing food is done with an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card provided by the Food Stamp Program. While you can buy almost all foods with the card, items that cannot be purchased include hot prepared food, tobacco, alcohol, soap, toothpaste, paper supplies and pet food. Money is transferred to the card every month, and each time an eligible purchase is made, the remaining balance is provided on the receipt.
Eligibility
An applicant must apply for assistance in the county where he resides. To be eligible you must be a resident and citizen of the United States, noncitizen national, Native American, Hmong, Laotian Highlander or eligible immigrant. Eligibility is also based on income and resources. The maximum gross income for an individual is $1,174; for each additional member of the household, add $406 to the gross income. The limit on assets is $2,000 per household or $3,000 if one member is 60 years of age or older. An asset is money or property such as cash, bank accounts, investments, boats, land or buildings. The home you live in, car and personal belongings are not considered assets.
Household
A household can be one individual or a group of people living together. Members in a household do not have to be related. The people who buy food and prepare meals together define a household. More than one family living in the same house can qualify for food stamps. Spouses, parents and children under the age of 22 must be counted as members of a household when determining eligibility.
Work Requirements
Individuals between the ages of 16 and 60 may be required to register for work. An applicant or household member without a job can be required to participate in training or education programs. If you quit your job or do not take a job provided by the Food Stamp Program, the benefits can be discontinued. Some exceptions to the work requirement are individuals with a physical or mental disability, age, participation in a substance abuse program, or being pregnant.
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