OCR Text |
Show Higher incomes now allowed for Food Stamp eligibility Food stamp allotments and income limits increased January Janu-ary 1 to keep pace with rising food costs, a Utah Department Depart-ment of Social Services official said. According to Cindy Haag, Office of Assistance Payments Administration eligibility specialist, spe-cialist, net income allowance for food stamps will increase except for one and two person households. The monthly net income for a family of four, for example, will rise from $567 to $580. New income limits for other family sizes include: three person household, $460; five person household, $687; six person household, $827; seven person household, $913 and eight person household, $1,047. The income limits take into consideration certain deductions de-ductions including rent, utilities, utili-ties, educational costs, and day care. Haag noted that monthly stamp allotments will increase by at least two dollars for all households except single persons. per-sons. The new allotments include $96 in stamps for two persons; $138 for three persons; per-sons; $174 for four persons; $206 for five persons; $248 for six persons, and $274 for seven persons. Individuals involved in the food stamp program have several options. While they are eligible to purchase the lull coupon amount of stamps, they may also purchase half or one-fourth of the amount they are eligible to receive, depending de-pending on the family's individual indivi-dual needs. Individuals with income below be-low the limit pay a set price for stamps and receive a bonus amount. For example, a family of four with a monthly income of $250 a month would pay $71 for food stamps. They would receive a bonus allotment allot-ment of $103 in food stamps. "The U.S. Department of Agriculture adjusts stamp allotment al-lotment and income limits twice a year to keep in line with food price changes," she said. Other persons who think they might be eligible for food stamps should check with their local Assistance Payments Pay-ments Office who will help them determine eligibility. |