Applying for Emergency Food Stamps
Emergency Food Stamaps(Photo credits: www.campgroundsigns.com)
Unlike regular food stamps, emergency food stamps are issued much faster. These emergency food stamps are also known as expedited SNAP, which are granted within seven days upon application. Certain criteria have to be met in order to qualify for speedy emergency food stamps.
- Your entire household’s total liquid assets must not be more than one hundred dollars. The gross monthly income of your entire household combined must be less than one hundred fifty dollars. Liquid resources as defined by the state include cash, money on bank account/s, Security lump sum money, lump sum public assistance money and certificate of savings.
- You must be a seasonal farm worker or a household classified under migrant status that has no more than one hundred dollars worth of savings and cash.
- Your household’s combined liquid assets and monthly income are less than that of your monthly mortgage and utilities. Utilities may include heating, water, phone and electricity.
How to Apply for Emergency Food Stamps
To apply for emergency food stamps or expedited SNAP you must fill up the necessary application form and send it to Department of Human Services (DHS) Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) of your state.
The application can be sent via fax, email or through online application. If your need for food assistance is immediate applying in person is the most effective way to speedily process your application. Walk in emergency food stamp applicants are usually screened on the same day so you don’t have to wait for a phone call or suffer delays waiting for your mail to come.
Qualified emergency food stamps applicants will receive their EBT card seven days after they sent in their application. In case you have no food left and could no longer wait for seven days an option to request for immediate access to a food pantry may be utilized as an option.
The primary requirement in acquiring your first month’s emergency food stamps is your identification card. You must present at least one valid ID such as Social Security number, driver’s license, birth certificate or even a public library card any of these cards will do. In case you don’t have an ID the worker assisting you with the application will have to call someone else who can verify your identification such as your agency, a relative, a friend or any collateral contact. No qualified applicant shall be denied of their right for emergency food stamps because of their failure to present an ID.
Duration of Emergency Food Stamp Benefits
The initial emergency food stamps issued to qualified applicants are good for one month. The amounts of the food assistance granted to each applicant vary depending on the results of the evaluation of their application.
Qualifying for emergency food stamps does not mean that you will automatically continue to receive food stamps every month. Additional documentation and requirements must be submitted within ten days after your request for food stamp continuity. A different interview shall be scheduled and conducted where the additional documentation and applications shall be discussed. After which, your food stamp application case shall remain open for thirty days, you may submit all additional requirements within this time frame to continue with the food stamp assistance program or SNAP.
Electronic Benefit Transfer or EBT
Emergency food stamps are issued to qualified applicants using the EBT card. The EBT card functions like a credit card so every time you buy food the store swipes the charges to your EBT no more actual food stamps. The government has tied up with numerous grocery stores where you can do your shopping using food stamps. The items that you can buy with emergency food stamps are limited to nutritious food only which are approved under the SNAP program.
Applicants Denied to Apply for Emergency Food Stamps
Applicants who were denied to avail emergency food stamps may appeal to the court within ninety days after they were denied. Denied emergency food stamp applicant may call the Fair Hearing Unit in their state to ask for legal assistance and representation during the hearing process.
Applying for emergency food stamps is a right provided for every citizen. However it is important to remember that this right can only be exercised under certain conditions. They can only be invoked by qualified citizens who are in need of immediate assistance in form of food. So if you want to get emergency food stamps you must prepare to present documentation to prove your eligibility as emergency food stamps applicant.
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