FOOD STAMP BENEFITS
The Food Support Program of Minnesota
The Food Support Program is the first line of defense against hunger in the U.S. It helps more than 20 million low-income people buy nutritious food and make healthy food choices within a limited budget. Eating healthier foods helps low-income people and their families stay well and have the energy they need for today’s active lifestyle.
The United States Department of Agriculture awarded The Salvation Army a two year outreach grant. This grant project allows individuals to apply for food support benefits at Salvation Army offices where they can also receive eligibility pre-screening and assistance in filling out their application.
Once an application is completed, The Salvation Army will make a copy for verification purposes and suggest that the individual bring the original application to the county Department of Human Services (DHS) office. The DHS will be making the final determination on the possible benefits and will notify the individual within 30 days after submitting an application.
To apply for Food Stamp Program benefit, please visit your local Salvation Army social service office. Click here for social service office locations.
Amount and Eligibility for Benefits
Food Support eligibility depends on the household’s level of income and assets. A household is defined as all those who purchase and prepare food together. In the chart below you will see monthly gross income guidelines and you will also see monthly net income guidelines. These guidelines are the maximum allowed for income eligibility after deductions have been made for (documented) costs such as dependent care costs, shelter costs or child support costs as they may apply to individual cases.
Number in |
Monthly income before
taxes |
Monthly income |
1 |
$1,062 |
$817 |
2 |
$1,430 |
$1,100 |
3 |
$1,799 |
$1,384 |
4 |
$2,167 |
$1,667 |
5 |
$2,535 |
$1,950 |
Monthly benefit levels are based on income plus resources (like the amount in your checking or savings account) minus certain expenditures, and the number of people in the household. Households with a person age 60 or older or with a person who is disabled may have up to $3,000 in resources and still be eligible for food support benefits. If everyone in a household qualifies for General Assistance (GA) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), they would also qualify for Food Support. Households exiting the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) may still qualify for continued food assistance from the Food Support program.
An immigrant is eligible to apply for food stamp benefits if he/she:
Has been in the U.S. as a legal resident for 5 years
Has earned, or can be credited with, 40 quarters of work
Has a military connection
Is a refugee or aslyee
Is a member of certain Indian tribes
Is a legal immigrant child
A child born in the U.S. is a citizen and is eligible for food stamps, even if he/she is in a family where other members of the household are not eligible.
People who qualify receive their benefits through a debit card called an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. EBT cards are credited monthly and Food Stamp recipients spend their benefits by using the card to buy eligible food in authorized retail food stores.
Helpful links for more information:
http://www.dhs.state.mn.us -
click on Economic Support and then click on Food Support to get to pertinent food support information
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/ -
Click on Outreach Tools and/or Screening Tools
http://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Legacy/DM-0005-ENG
Food stamps make America stronger. This project has been funded at least in part with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
