About FSP - Introduction

The purpose of the Food Stamp Program is to end hunger and improve nutrition and health. It helps low-income households buy the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet. The program is operated by State and local welfare offices, and the Federal Government oversees the State operation of the Program. The program is in operation in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Guam and the U. S. Virgin Islands.

To be eligible a household must meet certain eligibility standards. A few of them are mentioned below.

• Income and Resources. Households must meet income and resource standards. These standards are explained in more detail in Eligibility and Benefits.
   
• Work Requirements. With some exceptions, able-bodied adults between 16 and 60 must register for work, take part in an employment and training program to which they are referred by the food stamp office, and accept or continue suitable employment. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in disqualification from the Program. 
  
  In addition, able-bodied adults between 18 and 50 who do not have any dependent children can get food stamps only for 3 months in a 36-month period if they do not work or participate in a workfare or employment and training program other than job search. Other members of the household may continue to get food stamps even if this person is disqualified. This requirement is waived in some locations.
  
• Citizenship Status: U. S. citizens are eligible for the program. Certain non-citizens such as those admitted for humanitarian reasons and those admitted for permanent residence are also eligible for the program. Eligible household members can get food stamps even if there are other members of the household that are not eligible. 

The 2002 Farm bill restores food stamp eligibility to most legal immigrants that:

• Have lived in the country for 5 years; or
• Are receiving disability-related assistance or benefits, regardless of entry date; or
• Starting 10-1-03, are children regardless of entry date.

(See Food Stamp Policy on Immigrants for information on qualified alien categories and eligibility) 

Non-citizens that are in the U.S. temporarily, such as students, are not eligible. 

A number of States have their own programs to provide benefits to immigrants who do not meet the regular Food Stamp Program eligibility requirements. For a table of those programs, see State Programs.

The amount of benefits an eligible household receives depends on the number of people in the household and the amount of income the household has. For example, a household of three people with no income can receive up to $329 a month in benefits. Households with income are expected to use about 30 percent of their own money, after certain deduction have been allowed, for food. The average monthly amount of benefits in 1998 was about $71 a person. The income limits, maximum benefits, and calculation of benefits are explained in more detail in Eligibility and Benefits.

In some areas benefits are issued in the form of paper coupons a household may use to buy food in approved food stores. In other areas, households are issued a debit card that they can use like a credit card in approved stores. 

Back to the Top