Food Stamps (FS) - Is a federally funded program whose purpose is to reduce hunger and malnutrition among the members of low-income households. Food stamp benefits (which are not really stamps at all) are issued monthly to participants in the program. Benefits are provided through Electronic Benefit Transfer at grocery and other retail stores that have been authorized by the Food Stamp program. Whether or not you are eligible for food stamp benefits is based on your household size, income, assets, and several other factors. All of these factors are also used to figure out how much in benefits you will receive.

John H. Mulroy Civic Center, 2nd Floor
421 Montgomery Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Monday-Friday)
Phone: (315) 435-2700
Food Stamps is a federally funded program with the purpose of reducing hunger and malnutrition by supplementing the food purchasing power of eligible low-income individuals.

Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for food stamp benefits is based on a number of factors established by the federal government. These include both earned and unearned income, resources such as bank accounts, investments, and cash, and in certain circumstances, cars and properties that are available to the household. However, some types of income and some types of resources are not counted when determining eligibility. The only way to really know if you are eligible is to file an application.
Regulations state that certain household members must apply together. Those individuals include: spouses who live together, children under 22 living with their parent(s) and minors less than 18 living with an adult who provides parental control. Also, non-related members of a household who buy and prepare the majority of their meals together must all apply together.
If your household has little or no money and needs help right away, you may qualify for “expedited” food stamps. If you do, you will receive your initial Food Stamp benefit within five days. However, you will still have to complete the regular eligibility process and supply all the required documentation at a later date.

Effective 10/1/07 the limits are as follows:

Resource Limits
The maximum allowable resources a household may own and still qualify for Food Stamp benefits are:
1. $3,000 for a household where at least one person is 60 years of age or older,
2. $2,000 for all other households.
Effective Jan 1, 2008 resources are not counted for individuals below 200%of the poverty level.
Resources are counted for HH where a member is sanctioned.
Resources are counted for HH for HH over the 200% of poverty.

How to Apply
The only way you can find out if you are eligible for food stamp benefits is to file an application with the Department of Social Services. You may do that in person or by phone. We will give you an application on the same day you ask for one. You may submit an application as long as you have filled in your name, address and telephone number (if you have one), and signed the application. However, it is best if you give us as much information on the application as you can. You will be given an appointment to return for an eligibility interview. If you are only applying for food stamp benefits you can use the much shorter Food Stamp only application.
To apply in person come to the 2nd floor Civic Center, Intake 421 Montgomery Street. Or you may also request a food stamp benefits application to be mailed to you. Call our office at (315) 435-2700.

Effective January 1, 2008, the Working Families Food Stamp Initiative (WFFSI) became effective. Households eligible under the WFFSI will not be required to complete a face-to-face interview and will not be required to be finger imaged. The following household's qualify for the WFFSI:

• Any Non-Temporary Assisstance Food Stamp (NTA-FS) Program applicant or recipient household that has at least one adult member who is either working 30 hours per week or more or earning an average weekly income equal to or greater than the federal minimum wage (FMW) times 30 hours per week.
• Any NTA-FS applicant or recipient household that has at least two adult members each who is either working 20 hours per week or more or earning an average weekly income equal to or greater than the federal minimum wage (FMW) times 20 hours per week also is qualified to participate in the Working Families Food Stamp Iniitiative.

If you cannot make it to the Civic Center to apply because you are employed, disabled or for any other good reason you can request a telephone interview. You must still complete all eligibility requirements except for the face-to-face interview.
A food stamp tool is available online to determine your potential food stamp eligibility. All you have to do is complete a simple, fast, and anonymous online application and you'll receive immediate feedback concerning your potential eligibility. Visit http://www.foodstampshelp.org to learn more.

What to Expect
If you do qualify, you will receive your food stamp benefits no later than 30 days from the date the office got your application. Your food stamp benefits will be issued electronically at a participating grocery store. Click here to link to EBT page

Links
Fresh food delivery: http://www.foodbankcny.org/gethelp/fresh.aspx
Food Sense:http://www.foodbankcny.org/gethelp/food.aspx