Food Stamps for Felons

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There are food stamps for felons available if they meet the program qualification. Felons who need help obtaining food may be able to get a monthly food stamp grant, which will ensure that you receive assistance purchasing food. The food stamp program is a popular resource around the country, helping millions of people with ensuring they are able to obtain food.

The program that provides the food stamp benefit is called Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The program name was changed to SNAP in 2008. Prior to that, the assistance program was known around the country for decades simply as food stamps. Even today, it is still referred to by most people as food stamps, even though it is not the official name of the program.

To learn more about food stamps for felons and find an office to apply at near you, click here.

Food Stamps for Felons

The more you know about food stamps for felons, the better off you will be in making a determination if you feel you are qualified for the program. If you feel you are qualified to receive food stamps, then you should move forward to apply for the program. Here is some basic information to know about food stamps for felons.

• The food stamp program is federally funded, but it is administered throughout each state. The program is administered by the social service offices around the country.
• In order to qualify for the program you have to have a low income. The program has income limitations, which vary by state. If approved, the amount of your benefit will be determined by how many people are in your household.
• In addition to your income being evaluated for the food stamp program, they also place limits on assets. Currently, your household cannot have more than $2,250 in resources, which includes cash resources. They do not look at such assets as your home, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), retirement, or pensions. Some vehicles will not be included when determining your assets, including if it’s used for earning your income, and you only have one vehicle per adult in the home.
• You will apply for the food stamps at an office near you. The social services offices can be found all around the country. Once you apply, it may be 30 days before you get a response as to whether or not you are approved. If you need immediate assistance obtaining food, be sure to tell them, because some offices do help with emergency situations.
• Felons who are approved for a food stamp benefit will receive a plastic debit card. The card will be loaded electronically each month with your grant. You can then use the card to pay for food items at the grocery store or farmers market. Not all states allow using it at the farmers market, but most do and the other states may be on board soon.
• You cannot sell your food stamp benefits to someone else or use them to purchase things that are not allowed under the program. Such things include prepared foods, including going to restaurants or purchasing ready-to-eat subs from the grocery store deli. If you are caught using your food stamp benefits for something that is not approved you may lose the monthly grant.
• Those approved for food stamps for felons will find at that time how long they may receive the benefit. Some people may be able to get it for a long time, depending on their state and what their financial situation is.

Obtaining Food

As of 2018, there were 40 million Americans who receive food stamps around the country. It’s a program that has helped many people over the years to ensure they and their children are able to get the food they need. Some states have a higher percentage of people who are receiving food stamps than others. It largely depends on the economic situation of the people in each state. Some states may also be hit harder than others during things like natural disasters, which lead more felons to need food stamps.

The average monthly food stamp benefit as of 2018 was $247. This means that food stamps for felons provides an average of that amount per household each month. Households where there are children receive an average of $392 per month. If you have more people in your house to claim then your benefit will likely be larger each month.

While you wait to hear if you are approved for food stamps for felons, there are additional resources to obtain food assistance. Be sure to reach out to your local churches to see if they offer programs. Many local churches provide free hot meals and boxes of food for felons in need. They also do not usually have strict requirements to receive the help.