I think foods stamps are $200/month per person but Im not sure. I had them once and you just put everything together and what isn't covered by the food stamps you pay for with cash after you swipe your food card. Sometimes you get cash on your food card for items other than food. Some ppl will treat you bad but the rules are pretty strict that ppl on food stamps should be treated with respect otherwise you can turn them in for bad treatment. Besides the number of ppl that have food stamps right now is higher than its ever been, so don't worry too much about it!

You might want to also consider checking into your local food banks to see what else that you can get to supplement your food stamps. every little bit helps. Take care.

Plus check into the Salvation Army they help people out. Now if you have a disability you can usually get other funding from different agency. For example I am told that people who have bi polar can get a subsidy from the government I am not sure if you qualify. but look into all possibilities. Good luck please make sure your warm and safe an you can use a library for internet so that you still have support from all of us. isabee

I think isabee is talking about ssi and that's not just for ppl with bi polar.

Ann, another good option is to check state programs that might help, and if you ask the managers at the grocery stores if they accept food stamps for the items you need to accommodate your allergies, they *should* know. If someone sneers, eff 'em. You don't sneer at people who buy diabetic-safe food on food stamps, so why something like that?

Good luck. Wish I could help more. I was 3 when we were on food stamps, and then we moved to the farm and raised our food, so I don't ahve a clue. Sorry!

Hugs,
Leo

I get $497 for a household of 3, with no income. People will sneer. Not the cashiers or store employees. But other customers and people who don't have any empathy. As someone said, eff em. Food stamps are for food items only. If you have food restrictions it should still cover all your items.

I was on food stamps once. Other people in the check out line can be very cruel They don't know your story but, they judge you and make very nasty remarks. I would never take my kids shopping with me while we needed to use those. I would not subject them to others cruelty. There is no shame in using them if you need to so don't let others hurt you. I wish you all the best. Also the food stamps usually go back to when you first applied for them so the first time you usually get more that month then you will after that.

I know nothing about food stamps.

My oldest son and wife adopted 5 kids and then have one of there own.

They make to much for food stamps, but can't seem to keep the teenagers full, or any of the kids for that matter.

So food banks have been the helping hand they need. Fresh produce in the summers and share the harvest this fall (fresh deer meat from hunters) my grandkids thing regular hamburger tastes funny.

Check with your chamber of commerce they should be able to give you the contacts for the food banks.

I hope this helps. Tonsie

Thanks so much for your answers. I don't need to go to the food bank now. But the end of my money is coming in the next few months unless I get some income or a drastic reduction in my expensive. I try not to worry too much about it. I think the brain fog is something of a blessing, because I just forget to worry. What I think is if I was a homeless person, I would be so grateful to spend even one night in my comfortable apartment with my cozy bed, so I try to be grateful that today I have enough to eat and a nice place to live. I've been paying for health insurance but next month I'll be on Medicaid, and that is going to be a big help. But I'm going to have to make use of what social services are available to me.

Thanks again.

Don't worry about what other people think, just worry that you are getting food on the table.

Food stamps come on a debit card called an EBT card I believe. You apply through your local social services agency. There is a lot of paperwork to fill out. I didn't qualify because I had assets worth more than $2000, my car (even though it's 15 yrs old it still has a blue book value of more than $2000.

Nobody has to know that you're even using food stamps because you swipe your card just like a credit card. When you swipe a credit card at the store they list options like credit, debit, ebt, etc. The person behind you in line isn't going to know what option you choose.

Here you can't go to a local food bank unless you have a slip from social services.

Skinnybinny,

You might want to check again. In New York they just changed the rules. In December I wouldn't be eligible but in January I am. I don't know if it's just so New York thing.

I won't go to a food bank until I really need it. I've been eating lots of spaghetti, but I'm not hungry.

You do know that usually people do not even really know you are using food stamps as it looks just like a debit card, but Yea, my hubby and I get snears, but I do not care!

We do not have kids had not one penny coming in for over a month and they gave us $74 as they are cutting back on people's food stamps. There were signs all over the place last month that, please do not argue with cashiers over the amount on your EBT cards most food stamp cards will be lower then you are used to getting!

I know SO MANY people that are getting food stamps with and without kids, but I know nobody that gets anywhere near $600 a month! Alot just depends on which state you are in and who ever makes the decision on things! The food banks here are so very nice, but do not have anything but food, so as far as the rest of the stuff, we have no choice but to buy them ourselves, but we now have the money to do that so the food stamps are great!

Sure, that is why it is there!

They go by your income and resources as well as the number of people in your family. There are deductions like for rent, utilities, but they are standard, usually a few hundred dollars or less. You will need to provide verification if your rent, utilities, all income, resources, bank account info, etc. If you qualify, you will be issued a debit card and you will receive your food stamps on that each month. You will be given a certain amount of food stamps every month, if you want to buy expensive food with it, that your choice. You are suppose to spend app 30% of your income on food. If you have no income, you also have to prove how your rent, utilities and other expenses are being paid. Any cash you receive, even if it is to pay rent, is counted as income. So it is best for someone to pay your rent directly.

The first link below is regarding New York state. The second link is nation wide.

SNAP & Emergency Food Programs-
http://www.nyc.gov/html/hra/html/services/snap.shtml

FY 2014 Income Eligibility Standards-
http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/government/updates/FY14_Income_Standards.htm