What do I need to bring with me when I apply for assistance?
When you apply for public assistance you will be asked to provide proof
or verification of several identification factors. They include:
Identity (one form of photo ID if available, otherwise 2 forms of
non-photo ID - For example, notarized statements from people who can identify you).
Age
Social Security Number
Citizenship and Marital Status
What is the Food Stamp Program for?
The Food Stamp Program helped put food on the table for some 10.3 million households
and 23.9 million individuals each day in Fiscal Year 2004. It provides low-income households
with coupons or electronic benefits
they can use like cash at most grocery stores to ensure
that they have access to a healthy diet. The Food Stamp Program is the cornerstone of the
Federal food assistance programs, and provides crucial support to needy households and to
those making the transition from welfare to work. It provided an average of $2.1 billion
a month in benefits in Fiscal Year 2004.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture administers the Food Stamp Program at the Federal level
through its Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). State agencies administer the program at State
and local levels, including determination of eligibility and allotments, and distribution of benefits.
Who is the Food Stamp Program for?
Households must meet eligibility requirements and provide information - and verification - about
their household circumstances. U.S. citizens and some aliens who are admitted for permanent residency
may qualify. The welfare reform act of 1996 ended eligibility for many legal immigrants, though Congress
later restored benefits to many children and elderly immigrants, as well as some specific groups. The
welfare reform act also placed time limits on benefits for unemployed, able-bodied, childless adults.
Local food stamp offices can provide information about eligibility, and USDA operates a toll-free number
(800-221-5689) for people to receive information about the Food Stamp Program. Most states also have a toll
free information/hotline number (1-800-342-3009 for New York).
To participate in the Food Stamp Program:
Households may have no more than $2,000 in countable resources, such as a bank account ($3,000 if at
least one person in the household is age 60 or older, or is disabled). Certain resources are not counted,
such as a home and lot. Special rules are used to determine the resource value of vehicles owned by
household members.
The gross monthly income of most households must be 130 percent or less of the Federal poverty
guidelines ($1,698 per month for a family of three in most places, effective Oct. 1, 2004 through
Sept. 30, 2005). Gross income includes all cash payments to the household, with a few exceptions
specified in the law or the program regulations.
Net monthly income must be 100 percent or less of Federal poverty guidelines must be 100 percent
or less of Federal poverty guidelines ($1,306 per month for a household of three in most places,
effective Oct. 1, 2004 through Sept. 30, 2005). Net income is figured by adding all of a household's
gross income, and then taking a number of approved deductions for child care, some shelter costs and
other expenses. Households with an elderly or disabled member are subject only to the net income test.
Most able-bodied adult applicants must meet certain work requirements.
All household members must provide a Social Security number or apply for one.
Federal poverty guidelines are established by the Office of Management and Budget, and are updated
annually by the Department of Health and Human Services.
How can I find out if I might be eligible for food stamps?
Our new pre-screening tool will tell you
whether you might be eligible for food stamps, and how much
you might be eligible to receive, so you can see whether it would be worth your while to go to the local
food stamp office and apply.
It may take up to 30 days. It is possible to get your Food Stamps within 5 business days. This is called
Expedited Food Stamps. You do not need to be out of food to apply for expedited food stamps. You may be
eligible for expedited food stamps if you are eligible for food stamps and one or more of the following apply:
Your household has less than $100 cash and other available resources also has or will get less than $150
in gross income during the month that you apply.
Your income and available resources are less than your rent or mortgage, plus heat, utilities and telephone.
You are a migrant or seasonal farm worker.
How do I find a place to live?
Look in the newspapers, go on the Internet, search community bulletin boards, ask friends.
If I have no place to stay and need emergency housing, where can I go?
You may apply for assistance at Warren County Social Services Building Your situation will be
evaluated and a decision made on your eligibility.
What if I'm not literally homeless, but I'm not living in a good situation or if things are
so bad at home that it feels like there could be a major blow up at any minute. As a minor, is
there any place I can go?
Stay with a friend temporarily and attempt counseling. Resources available to you depend
on your age. Call the Department of Social Services at 518-761-6300 to discuss your needs.
I can barely afford rent. Is there any place I can go to get help with a security deposit?
You may apply for assistance at the Warren County Social Services Building. Your situation will
be evaluated and a decision made on your eligibility.
I haven't been able to pay my rent and my landlord is threatening to evict me. Can he do this?
Yes.
Is there any place that can help me if I'm about to be evicted for nonpayment of rent?
You may apply for assistance at the Warren County Department of Social Services Building.
Each situation will be evaluated on an individual basis.
I've heard that if an adult takes me (a minor) in, they might be able to get some financial assistance
through the Department of Social Services. Is that true? If so, how would they get it?
It may be true, depending on the situation. They or you would need to come in and file an application.
I am in need of financial assistance to pay my heating bills. Where can I get information on this?
The Department of Social Services administers H.E.A.P.- Home Energy Assistance Program - a federally
funded seasonal program intended to assist low-income households in meeting their energy expenses. Call
Warren County HEAP Department at 518-761-6338
How do I know if I am eligible for Family Health Plus, Child Health Plus or Medicaid?
The Medicaid eligibility worker at the Department of Social Services will determine if you are eligible
for any Medicaid program including the FPBP. Be sure to notify your interviewer at Social Services if you
need the application to remain confidential and designate an alternate mailing address if you don't want
correspondence to go to your home address.
How do I report fraud?
Please see our Fraud section if you suspect someone is
abusing Medicaid or another public assistance program.
