How To Apply For Maryland Food Stamps

View the information below if you are interested in applying for food stamps in Maryland. It is important that you have all the documentation and information needed so the application process is not delayed. If you still have questions or issues about applying for food stamps, known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), then you can call the Maryland SNAP hotline at 800-332-6347. The department that handles this program is called the Maryland Department of Human Services.

The Food Supplement Program (FSP) helps low income people buy the food they need for good health. You may be able to get FSP benefits if you:

• Work for low wages
• Are unemployed or work part time
• Receive Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) or other public assistance payments
• Are elderly or disabled and live on a small income or are homeless

Applying for the Maryland Food Supplement Program

There are a variety of ways to file an application for the Food Supplement Program (FSP) benefits. You may file an application online at myDHR. Additionally, local departments of social services will give or mail you an FSP application on the same day you ask for one. You may ask for it in person, over the phone, by mail, or someone else may get one for you. You also have the option to download a SNAP application. The office will accept a signed application form on the same day you turn it in even if they cannot interview you on that day.

Fill in your name, address, telephone number, and as much other information as you can on the form, and sign it. Give or send the form to the office as soon as possible. A case manager can help you fill out the rest of the form during your interview. You are required to answer all questions completely and honestly. If you fail to do this, you can be removed from the program, fined, put in prison or all 3. If you qualify for FSP, you should be able to access your benefits no later than 30 days from the date the office got your application. FSP benefits are issued electronically on a card like a bank ATM card.

Your application will be reviewed the same day to determine if you are eligible to receive FSP within 7 days. If you and everyone you live with are applying for or getting Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, you may apply for FSP in your Social Security district office. Households that are applying for public assistance or medical assistance can apply for FSP at the same time.

If you are not interviewed the day you turn in your application, the local department will contact you to set up an interview to go over your application. A case manager will explain the program rules and help you complete any parts of the application that you have not filled out. The worker will also ask you for proof of certain information you have given. Ask the worker to explain anything you don’t understand. It is important that you understand the rules.

Maryland food stamp eligibility rules

Listed below are some of the basic rules and the kinds of proof you may need during your interview. Your case may be completed faster if you bring the proof with you to the interview. If you have trouble getting papers (documents) or information you need, the case manager may be able to help you. If the papers are not easy to get, you may be able to give the name and phone number of someone, such as your employer, who can confirm your statements.

Citizenship and Immigrant Status

Some people who are not US citizens are not eligible for the Food Supplement Program (FSP). There are exceptions for refugees, asylees, immigrants whose deportation has been withheld, Cuban/Haitian entrants, Amerasians and some immigrants legally admitted for permanent residence, parolees, aliens granted conditional entry, and certain battered spouses and children. Border Crossing Native Americans, certain Iraqi and afghan immigrants, victims of human trafficking and Hmong or Laotian tribe members may also be eligible. Even if some members of your household are not eligible, those who are may be able to get food supplement benefits.

Social Security Numbers

You will have to provide a Social Security number for every household member, including children, except for undocumented immigrants applying on behalf of others. If any household member, other than an undocumented immigrant does not have a Social Security number, he or she will have to apply for one.

Work Rules

With certain exceptions, able-bodied adults between 16 and 60 years of age must register for work, accept an offer of suitable work, and take part in an employment and training program when referred to one by the local department of social services.

Students

Most students ages 18 through 49 who are enrolled in college or other institutions of higher education at least half time are not eligible for food stamps. However, students may be able to get FSP benefits if otherwise eligible if they:

• Get cash assistance benefits under a TCA program
• Take part in a State or federally financed work study program
• Work at least 20 hours a week (no averaging)
• Are taking care of a dependent household member under the age of 6
• Are taking care of a dependent household member over the age of 5 but under 12 and do not have adequate child care to enable them to attend school and work a minimum of 20 hours, or to take part in a State or federally financed work study program or
• Are a single parent in school full-time with a child under 12 or
• Are assigned to or placed in a college or certain other schools through:
  • A program under the Work Force Investment Act
  • A program under Section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974
  • An employment and training program under the Food Stamp Act or
  • An employment and training program operated by a State or local government
  • Are receiving disability and receiving SSI, SSA or VA disability payments or
  • Have a disability verified by a doctor or licensed psychologist

Deductions

After adding all of your household's countable income, the case manager will subtract certain deductions. The following deductions are allowed for all households:

• Standard deduction
• 20% of earned income
• Actual costs of dependent care costs for children and disabled adults if this care is needed so that a household member can work, look for a job, or get training or education leading to a job
• Legally owed and paid child-support payments
• Shelter expenses and utility expenses
• Medical expenses over $35 a month for household members who are age 60 or older or receiving certain disability payments

Proof: Verification for the following is required

• verification of income, such has but not limited to: paystubs, letter from employer or award letter
• Child-support payments, such as a court order and cancelled checks and the legal obligation to pay
• Verification of legal immigrant status for eligible immigrants
• Medical expenses for individuals 60 or older or disabled
• Any information which is questionable or conflicting

Receiving Your Food Supplement Program Benefits

If the office finds that you are eligible, you should get your food supplement benefits no later than 30 days from the date you first applied, unless you qualify for faster service. If you have no income (or very little income) for the month and you need help right away, you may qualify for Expedite Food Supplement benefits within 7-days. Food Supplement Program benefits are issued to households on an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card, called the Independence Card. You use this card to buy your food.

Find out if you qualify for Maryland food stamps

After your interview, the local department will send you a notice. If you do not qualify for FSP benefits, the notice will provide the reason. If you qualify for benefits, the notice will explain how much food supplement benefits you will get. It will also tell you how many months you can get food supplement benefits before you must reapply.

If you think your application has been wrongly denied or that you have not gotten the correct amount of food supplement benefits, you should tell the office. If they do not agree, you must ask them to have your case reviewed by a fair hearing official. For more information about fair hearings, see the section entitled Your Rights.
Receiving Your Food Supplement Program Benefits

If the office finds that you are eligible, you should get your food supplement benefits no later than 30 days from the date you first applied, unless you qualify for faster service. If you have no income (or very little income) for the month and you need help right away, you may qualify for Expedite Food Supplement benefits within 7-days. Food Supplement Program benefits are issued to households on an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card, called the Independence Card. You use this card to buy your food.

Maryland food stamp income requirements

Households have to meet income tests unless all members are receiving TANF, TEMHA or SSI. Most households must meet both the gross and net income tests, but a household with an elderly person or a person who is receiving certain types of disability payments only has to meet the net income test. Households, except those noted, that have income over the amounts listed below cannot receive SNAP benefits.

Gross income means a household's total, non excluded income, before any deductions have been made. Net income means gross income minus allowable deductions.