{"id":478,"date":"2018-04-19T16:04:23","date_gmt":"2018-04-19T16:04:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.navigatingreentry.org\/?page_id=478"},"modified":"2025-02-08T17:11:59","modified_gmt":"2025-02-08T17:11:59","slug":"food-stamp-program-snap","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.navigatingreentry.org\/index.php\/food-stamp-program-snap\/","title":{"rendered":"Food Stamp Program &#8211; SNAP"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-482 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.navigatingreentry.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/maryl_card.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"211\" height=\"143\" \/><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">WHAT IS SNAP?<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000080;\">SNAP is Maryland&#8217;s Food Stamp Program.\u00a0 SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and \u00a0is a government program designed to <strong>help low income people be able to afford purchasing food for their family.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Food stamp eligibility is complicated, and the rules change often. The best way to find out if you\u2019re eligible for food stamps is to apply for them. \u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Here is the link for applying for SNAP benefits:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dhs.maryland.gov\/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program\/applying-for-the-food-supplement-program\/\">https:\/\/dhs.maryland.gov\/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program\/applying-for-the-food-supplement-program\/<\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>CAN A CONVICTED FELON APPLY FOR SNAP BENEFITS?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Yes.\u00a0 If you meet certain requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:text-2xl font-semibold\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">CAN I GET FOOD STAMPS IF I HAVE A DRUG FELONY CONVICTION?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"md:flex\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"fe-user-content fe-user-content--block\">\n<div class=\"mb-4 prose md:prose-lg\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Yes. If you\u2019re eligible for food stamps, Maryland won\u2019t disqualify you because of a drug felony.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">You might have to join a treatment program or take drug tests. You might also face a\u00a0<strong>temporary<\/strong> disqualification period.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\"> Maryland passed a law that eliminates drug testing requirements for SNAP and TANF applicants with a felony drug conviction.\u00a0 Again, situations may be different &#8211; you need to contact your local SNAP office and go through your individual situation and application.\u00a0 But you are entitled to benefits &#8211; so do this!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Call your\u00a0<a class=\"astro-knel4ru6\" style=\"color: #000080;\" href=\"https:\/\/mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us\/dashboardclient\/#\/dssMap\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-astro-cid-knel4ru6=\"\">local office<\/a> or the Maryland SNAP hotline to learn more: 1-800-332-6347.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS OF A CONVICTED FELON TO APPLY FOR SNAP BENEFITS?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">During the 2018 session, the Maryland General Assembly changed Food Stamp Program (SNAP) requirements for program benefit eligibility.\u00a0 The new law disqualifies applicants and recipients who are convicted of only two types of drug-related felonies for Food Stamp Program participation:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong>volume dealer drug felony<\/strong> &#8211; an individual who manufactures, distributes, dispenses, or possesses certain quantities of a controlled dangerous substance<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong>drug kingpin felony &#8211; <\/strong>an organizer, supervisor, financier, or manager who acts as a co-conspirator in a conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, dispense, transport in, or bring into the State a controlled dangerous substance.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">If you have been convicted of any other drug-related felony involving the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance after August 22, 1996, you \u00a0will now be able to maintain eligibility.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE FOOD SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">There are several ways to file an application for the Food Supplement Program benefits:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">1)\u00a0 You can file an application online at myDHR.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">2)\u00a0 Local department of social services will give or mail you an application on the same day you ask for one.\u00a0 You may ask for it in person, over the phone, by mail or someone else may pick one up for you.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">3)\u00a0 You also can download a SNAP APPLICATION<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">The office will accept a signed application form on the same day you turn it in even if they cannot interview you on that day.\u00a0 Fill in as much as you can, sign it, and turn it in.\u00a0 A case manager will help you with things you cannot fill out during your interview.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong>YOU MUST ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS COMPLETELY AND HONESTLY. IF YOU FAIL TO DO SO, YOU CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE PROGRAM, FINED, PUT IN PRISON, OR ALL THREE.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>WHAT KIND OF DOCUMENTATION DO I NEED TO PROVE ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY FOR THE FOOD SUPPLEMENT<\/strong> <strong>PROGRAM?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong>You case will be determined faster if you bring the documents and proof of eligibility with you to the interview.\u00a0<\/strong>If you have trouble getting papers (documents) or information you need, the case manager may be able to help you. If the papers are not easy to get, you may be able to give the name and phone number of someone, such as your employer, who can confirm your statements.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Below are some of the documents that you will need:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\">\u00a0<strong>CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION STATUS<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Some people who are not U.S. citizens are not eligible for the Food Supplement Program (FSP).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong> There are exceptions for:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">refugees<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">asylees<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">immigrants whose deportation has been withheld<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Cuban\/Haitian entrants<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Amerasians and some immigrants legally admitted for permanent residence<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><strong style=\"color: #000080;\"><em>\u00a0parolees<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">aliens granted conditional entry and <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">certain battered spouses and children<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\"> Border Crossing Native Americans, certain Iraqi and afghan immigrants, victims of human trafficking and Hmong or Laotian tribe members may also be eligible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong><em>Even if some members of your household are not eligible, those who are may be able to get food supplement benefits.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong>2.\u00a0 SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS for <em>each member of the household<\/em>.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">You will have to provide a Social Security number for every household member, including children, except for undocumented immigrants applying on behalf of others. <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">If any household member, other than an undocumented immigrant does not have a Social Security number, he or she will have to apply for one.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">3.\u00a0<strong> WORK RULES<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">With certain exceptions, able-bodied adults between 16 and 60 years of age must register for work, accept an offer of suitable work, and take part in an employment and training program <em>when referred to one by the local department of social services.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">HOW WILL THEY DETERMINE IF I AM ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE SNAP BENEFITS?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">After adding all of your household\u2019s countable income, the case manager will subtract certain deductions.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">The following deductions are allowed for all households to determine if you meet income eligibility requirements:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ol start=\"1\" type=\"1\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">standard deduction;<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">20 percent of earned income;<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">actual costs of dependent care costs for children and disabled adults if this care is needed so that a household member can work, look for a job, or get training or education leading to a job;<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">legally owed and paid child-support payments;<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">shelter expenses and utility expenses;<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">medical expenses over $35 a month for household members who are age 60 or older or receiving certain disability payments.<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><em>You will need to bring proof of these things to your interview.<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">WHAT KIND OF PROOF AND VERIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR INCOME ELIGIBILITY?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<ol start=\"1\" type=\"1\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">verification of income, such has but not limited to: paystubs, letter from employer or award letter.<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">child-support payments, such as a court order and cancelled checks and the legal obligation to pay;<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">verification of legal immigrant status for eligible immigrants;<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">medical expenses for individuals 60 or older or disabled;<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">any information which is questionable or conflicting.<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">HOW WILL I FIND OUT IF I QUALIFY FOR FOOD STAMP BENEFITS?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">After your interview, the local department will send you a notice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">If you do not qualify for FSP benefits, the notice will provide the reason.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">If you qualify for benefits, the notice will explain how much food supplement benefits you will get. It will also tell you how many months you can get food supplement benefits before you must reapply.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">If you think your application has been wrongly denied or that you have not gotten the correct amount of food supplement benefits, you should tell the office. If they do not agree, you must ask them to have your case reviewed by a fair hearing official.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO KNOW IF I QUALIFY FOR FOOD SUPPLEMENT BENEFITS?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">If you are found to be eligible, you should get your food supplement benefits no later than<strong><em> 30 days from the date you first applied, unless you qualify for faster service.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>I HAVE NO INCOME AND NO FOOD NOW.\u00a0 HOW CAN I APPLY TO GET FOOD STAMPS RIGHT AWAY?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">If you have no income (or very little income) for the month and you need help right away, you may qualify for Expedite Food Supplement benefits within 7-days.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>IF I QUALIFY, HOW DO I RECEIVE MY FOOD SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM BENEFITS?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">In Maryland,\u00a0 the\u00a0Food Supplement Program benefits are issued on an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card, called the<strong><em> Independence Card.<\/em><\/strong> You use this card to buy your food.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>WHAT KIND OF FOOD CAN I BUY WITH THE CARD?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">You can use your Independence Card to buy\u00a0 food and for plants and seeds to grow food for your household to eat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Sales tax cannot be charged on items bought with food stamps.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Food stamps cannot be used to buy:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"1\" type=\"1\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\">any nonfood item, such as pet foods; soaps, paper products, and household supplies; grooming items, toothpaste, and cosmetics<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\">alcoholic beverages and tobacco<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\">vitamins and medicines<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\">hot foods that are ready to eat<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>IF I AM ENROLLED IN COLLEGE, CAN I APPLY FOR SNAP?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Generally, most students ages 18 through 49 who are enrolled in college or other institutions of higher education at least half time are not eligible for food stamps. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\">However, students may be able to get FSP benefits if they are eligible under other eligibility criteria:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"1\" type=\"1\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\">get cash assistance benefits under a TCA program;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\">take part in a State or federally financed work study program;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\">work at least 20 hours a week (no averaging);<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\">are taking care of a dependent household member under the age of 6;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\">are taking care of a dependent household member over the age of 5 but under 12 and do not have adequate child care to enable them to attend school and work a minimum of 20 hours, or to take part in a State or federally financed work study program; or<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\">are a single parent in school full-time with a child under 12; or<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\">are assigned to or placed in a college or certain other schools through:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\">a program under the Work Force Investment Act,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\">a program under Section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\">an employment and training program under the Food Stamp Act, or<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\">an employment and training program operated by a State or local government.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\">are receiving disability and receiving SSI, SSA or VA disability payments, or<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080;\">have a disability verified by a doctor or licensed psychologist.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WHAT IS SNAP? SNAP is Maryland&#8217;s Food Stamp Program.\u00a0 SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and \u00a0is a government program designed to help low income people be able to afford purchasing food for their family.\u00a0 Food stamp eligibility is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.navigatingreentry.org\/index.php\/food-stamp-program-snap\/\" class=\"read-more\">Read More &#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navigatingreentry.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/478"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navigatingreentry.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navigatingreentry.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navigatingreentry.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navigatingreentry.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=478"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.navigatingreentry.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/478\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1537,"href":"https:\/\/www.navigatingreentry.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/478\/revisions\/1537"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navigatingreentry.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=478"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}