SNAP provides monetary assistance to help low-income families and individuals buy healthy food.
The South Carolina Department of Social Services administers food assistance to residents of South Carolina. The Food Stamp Program (now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP) is actually funded by the federal government, which sets national application and benefit guidelines. South Carolina runs a number of food assistance programs other than SNAP; see the Food Assistance list at the end of the article for more information.
Purpose
SNAP helps low-income households buy healthy food and add nutrients to individuals' diets. Healthy food develops the brains and bodies of children, and enables adults to maintain their bodies and minds, allowing them to work to their full potential. Hence, food assistance both helps to end hunger and strengthens American communities as well as local economies.
Income
SNAP benefits are available to households earning less than 130 percent of the poverty rate each month (this is figured from take-home pay, or the number on your pay stub, also known as net income). While the poverty rate is adjusted annually to reflect inflation, the 130 percent guideline remains constant. The poverty rate for a household depends on how many people live in the household.
Resources
The federal government also sets guidelines on resources other than income. To qualify for SNAP, a household must have less than $2,000 in countable resources. Countable resources are cash, deposits and goods that can be quickly sold and converted to cash. Usually, a family's countable resources are cash, savings and checking accounts and some vehicles (vehicles used for work are exempt).
Expenses
A household's disposable income must be less than 100 percent of the federal poverty rate. In order to determine how much disposable income a household has, a DSS case worker takes the gross income and deducts a list of expenses such as child care, rent (if your rent is more than 50 percent of your income) and medical expenses for disabled or elderly. The case worker will then use the disposable income to determine how much food assistance the household will get each month.
Application
To apply for SNAP, download an application form from the DSS website, pick one up at a DSS office or call and request one mailed to your home. You will need to list your household's monthly income, countable resources and monthly expenses, as well as personal information and your address. When you return the application form to a DSS office, schedule an interview with a case worker. At the interview, the case worker will review your application, confirm your identity and determine your benefits.
Tags: case worker, poverty rate, South Carolina, disposable income, food assistance, less than, than percent