Eligibility criteria
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the State of Nebraska and fall into one of two groups: (1) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001, or (2) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 who share their household with a person or persons age 60 and over, or with a person with a disability. For either group, you must also have an annual household income of less than $11,677 if one person lives in the household; $15,757 if two people live in the household; $19,849 if three people live in the household; $23,929 if four people live in the household; $28,009, if five people live in the household; $32,089 if six people live in the household; $36,169 if seven people live in the household; or $40,249 if more than seven people live in the household.

Description
The federal Food Stamp Program helps low-income people buy food. It's not necessary to be receiving other public assistance in order to be eligible, but people don't receive food stamps automatically - they must apply and be found eligible. Food stamp benefits are given free of charge to households that meet the program guidelines for income and resources. A household can be one person or a group of people who purchase and prepare meals together. If a group lives in the same house but buys food separately, they may each qualify as a separate household. Food stamp benefits can be used to buy only food. Alcoholic beverages, pet food, tobacco, paper products, or other non-food items cannot be purchased with food stamp benefits. The benefit amount is placed in an electronic account, which can be accessed with an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. Most supermarkets and grocery stores accept the EBT cards. Some "Meals on Wheels" services may accept them, and recipients over age 60 and their spouses may be able to use them to pay for congregate meals. To apply, an application must be completed and given to the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services. For more information, contact the Health and Human Services Office nearest you. Or, you may download an application form and mail it to the nearest Health and Human Services Office.

Managing organization
Nebraska http://www.state.ne.us

Program contact information & web resources
A map of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services offices in the state is available at:
http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/map/mapindex.htm

You can also visit our Web site to download an application in English or Spanish and read more about the Nebraska Food Stamp program. Click here:
http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/fia/fstamps.htm