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Show Food Stamp Aid Some low-income households who are eligible are not benefiting from the Food Stamp Program. Whether it's because of fear, ignorance, suspicion, lack of motivation, lack of transportation, transpor-tation, physical or mental handicaps - there is usually a reason that can be overcome. UNDER THE program, food couponscommonly referred to as food stamps-are stamps-are used to supplement the food buying power of eligible low income households. The program is administered adminis-tered nationally by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service, and locally by the State Assistance As-sistance Payments. The Food Stamp Program was created to improve the levels of nutrition among low-income households. Low-income Low-income families have many needs, but food is the most essentia) of all. IT GIVES children the health they need in order to leam, and adults the energy they need in order to work. 1. What are Food Stamps? Food Stamps are coupons that are used like money for the purchase of food. Lower income in-come families, persons and elderly, can purchase food stamps by paying a sum of money based on family size and net monthly income. The value of the food stamps you receive will be greater than the amount of money you pay. You can spend the food stamps like money at grocery stores. 2. WHO IS eligible for food stamps? To be eligible for food stamps, you must meet national standards for income and resources. Most lower income in-come working families and elderly are eligible or if you are already receiving public assistance or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you are usually eligible. 3. How is income determined? deter-mined? Before you check the income chart below to see if you are eligible for food sumps certain expenses can be deducted from your income. 4. WHAT CAN be deducted? a) Mandatory Payroll reductions: reduc-tions: State and Federal income in-come taxes, unemployment compensation. Social Security taxes (FICA). (The Assistance Assis-tance Payment office has tables ta-bles to figure taxes out). RETIREMENT AND union dues, b) Work expenseslO percent of earned income up to $30 per month, c) Medical costs when over $10 a month. d) Child care to accept or continue employment, e) Training and education expenses-tuition and mandatory manda-tory school fees. F) COURT ordered support and alimony, g) Rent, utilities, utili-ties, mortgage payments, and property taxes over 30 percent of income after above deduction. Family size and monthly net income: one. $215; two. 1107; three, M33; four, t-SM; five. JhtM; six, $787; seven. 1X73; eight, $au3; nine. $1,120; ten, $1,247. 5. RESOURCE Limitations. You may also have cash on hand, savings, U.S. Savings Bonds, stocks and bonds worth up to $1,500 and still be eligible for food stamps. If a person in your household is over 60, you may have resources up to $3,000 and still be eligible. For further information call 399-9673 and ask for Marianne Chavez, Food Stamp Outreach Coordinator located at 2127 Lincoln Avenue. There is also an outreach out-reach office in Bountiful located at 11th South 100 West. |