Category: Legal Aid

May 21 2011

Food Stamps

Program Description

The Family Assistance Administration’s mission is to help individuals and households in improving their quality of life.

The Family Assistance Administration assists individuals and families attain independence and self-sufficiency by providing temporary assistance in meeting their instant fundamental needs. The FAA provides Cash Assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance to worthy participants, specifies eligibility for Medical Assistance, and refers participants to other departmental and community resources for assistance.

General Program Requirements

In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the State of Arizona and fall into one of two groups: (1) those with a ongoing bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001, or (2) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 who share their family with a person or persons age 60 and over, or with a person with a disability (a child, your spouse, a parent, or yourself). For either group, you must also have an annual household income of less than $14,079 if one person lives in the household; $18,941 if two people live in the household; $23,803 if three people live in the household; $28,665 if four people live in the household; $33,527 if five people live in the household; $38,389 if six people live in the household; $43,251 if seven people live in the household; or $48,113 if eight people live in the household. For larger households, add $4,862 for each additional person in the home.

Your Next Steps

The following info will guide you to the next steps to apply for this benefit. Application Process

To apply for this program, you have two options:

1. To apply online, visit: https://www.healthearizona.org/app/Default.aspx, or 2. To apply in person, first print out application form FA-001- Application for Assistance, in your desired language and format: https://egov.azdes.gov/cmsinternet/appforms.aspx?category=75. Then, locate your nearest FAA office by visiting https://egov.azdes.gov/CMSInternet/main.aspx?menu=162&id=3494 and set up an appointment.

Please note- clients must have the following info available when applying:

* Social Security numbers for everyone, or proof they applied for a Social Security number * Alien registration cards if there are non-U.S. citizens in the household * Name, address and daytime phone number of a landlord or neighbor, if available * A statement validating your address and the names of everyone living with you. The statement must be made by a non-relative who doesn’t live with you and must be signed up, dated and include the non-relative’s address and telephone number * Proof of all money your household received from any source last month and this month * Registration/titles for all vehicles * Bank or credit union statement (savings or checking) for the most recent month * Proof of Savings Bonds, securities, retirement programs and life insurance * Copies of rent/mortgage and utility bills (electric, water, gas, etc.) for the most recent month * Proof of child care expenses for the recent month * Proof of continual health check expenses for anyone in the household age 60 and older, blind, or unfit.

May 12 2011

Food Stamp For A Healthy Tomorrow

SNAP food stamps is a plan that is leaded by the United States of America department of agriculture. This program gives help to people living in the U. S who get a low income and those without any source of income at all. The welfares are distributed by respective states. Through the plan people who qualify are able to buy food they want for good health.

Now, the food stamp welfares are spread by the use of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) which is a debit card system that is specialized. The card is normally supplied by a private contractor. It allows the user to pay for purchase at the cash register in supermarkets and even grocery stores. The approved amount of stamps is located in the account of the card monthly. The period of time of using the stamps changes from person to person. Mostly, it is between 1 and 6 months. However, in some events the length can be longer.

To qualify, the person should be either netting an income of near-poverty level or have no income at all. Pregnant women, the handicapped or elderly may also be given special considerations at times. Immigrants are also suitable so long as they have lived in the country for at least 5 years. Immigrants having any help related to handicap may also measure up regardless of when they entered the country.

This platform has various benefits. First of all, the stamps enable individuals with a low income to maintain their work. This enables them to keep off the welfare plan. It also forbids former recipients of welfare from sliding back to poverty and reverting to the welfare program as a consequence.

The other benefit is that the stamps make nutritious food readily accessible as the recipients are competent to buy the food using the stamps from several stores. Families that are in this plan may also receive deductions from their gross income. Deductions are for things like child or dependent care payments and medical disbursements among other deductions.

When applying, one may at times be required to do a pre-qualification tryout on-line. This examination helps to find out whether they are eligible. It comprises some questions about your background, income, assets and monthly expenditure among other questions. After submitting the answers, one gets a report informing him whether he measures up for the plan or not.

It is however advisable to apply even if the pre-qualification test comes out bad. It is now manageable to apply online from the comfort of your home. This is done by filling an online application form . After sending the application, you may be needed to have a personal interview with the required governments. You could also be required to give proof of info regarding expenses and income among other things.

Anyone can apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food stamps. The program does not discriminate on basis of age, nationality, religion or disability. Those who qualify are able to purchase nutritious food from supermarkets and grocery stores using the debit card. If you feel like you require the assistance of the program, it would be better to apply.

Apr 12 2011

It’s Simple To Apply For Florida Food Stamps Online Or At A Local Social Security Office

While a federally-funded program, food stamps are available through social security offices within the state of residence. It is easy to apply for Florida food stamps by visiting one of the local offices or with an application online. The role of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, referred to as SNAP, is to help low-income families with food essential for nutritional health. It is not valid for everything in the grocery store. Items such as paper goods, pet food, prescription drugs, alcohol and cigarettes cannot be bought with SNAP funds.

Applicants must provide proof of their U. S. Citizenship, a valid social security number and proof that the live in Florida. You must include your employment history along with salary pay, bank account balances and a list of anything in which you gain equity, such as your home or auto. Your income must fall below the current level of poverty and applicants must be able to show a minimum of 20-hours of compensated work per week if between the ages of 18 and 50 years.

Decisions on SNAP allocation depend upon the income level versus family expenses such as utilities, insurance and rent. Other circumstances include other household members and if they receive current benefits as an individual, or whether the whole family is being assessed as a whole. SNAP is not available to anyone who has violated a court order on purpose, or for anyone who has been convicted of trafficking drugs.

The term “stamps” is actually no longer relevant. People now receive a flexible debit card instead of paper stamps. Nevertheless, most still pertain to the assistance program as the food stamp program. Each month, recipients have their card with the budget of their food stamp money. It can be used all at one or throughout the month. If any amount is unconsumed at the end of the month, that becomes void and a new balance is issued. One can anticipate to receive a call or asked to come in for guidance on a monthly basis for evaluation and/or review of funds offered.

Moms, as well as their infants and small children, have another form of assistance called WIC, which stands for Women, Infants and Children. Routine check-ups and weigh-ins are needed for WIC participants to see that children are receiving their nutritional needs. WIC offers foods such as infant formula, dairy products, eggs, cereals and bread that are important to giving children a right nutritional start to life. Food is also offered for expectant and nursing mothers for up to the first six-months of her baby’s life.

Applying for and receiving Florida food stamps and other types of financially assistant programs are significant for many families and individuals in need, particularly these days. With the down-turned economy, many demand help and you shouldn’t hesitate to ask for it. The application process is easy and the resulting commendation or denial will be sent within 30 days. It can surely alleviate your burden for a couple of months or longer, when you need help getting back on your feet.