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When you apply for food stamp benefits, you will be asked
to provide DTA with proof of certain income, expenses and
other information. You only need to prove information that
applies to your household.
After your interview, your worker will give you a list
of documents you will need to provide. Pay stubs, utility
bills and other papers must not be more that four weeks
old from the day that you turn in the Food Stamp Benefits
Application. Below is a list of some of the information
you will be asked to prove. The list includes some examples
of documents for your convenience, but other documents can
be accepted.
- To be considered for food stamp benefits you
must provide proof of the following:
- Identity - of the person making
the application: driver’s license, birth certificate
or other proof of identity.
- Residency - Proof of where you
live: mortgage, rental agreement, utility bill or
other document.
- Non-Citizen Status - for all non-citizens
who eat together and are applying for food stamp benefits:
alien registration card or other proof that INS knows
you are living in the U.S.
- Gross Income - for all members
of the household who eat together. Examples of acceptable
proof of income are:
- Earned Income: Pay stubs or
written statement from employer showing income
before taxes for the past four weeks
- Unearned Income: Most recent
copy of Social Security check or copy of award
letter; proof of unemployment, workers’
compensation, pension, child support, alimony,
TAFDC.
- Self-Employment: Most recent
federal tax return (Schedule C Form) or last three
months of business records.
- Rental Income: If you get
paid by someone who rents a room or apartment
from you, a copy of the lease agreement, or statement
from your tenant showing the amount of rent paid.
Also your mortgage, tax bill, homeowner’s
insurance, water and sewerage bills and other
business expenses.
- In order to get the most benefits you are
entitled to, you must also provide proof of the following
expenses. If you do not provide proof of these expenses,
you may miss out on special deductions that could have
increased your food stamp benefits. These are the only
deductions that are allowed.
- Housing Expenses - Proof of your
housing expenses: if you own your home, mortgage statement,
taxes, insurance; or, if you rent, a rent receipt,
lease agreement or other proof of your rent
- Utility Expenses - Proof that
you pay for heating/cooling, other utilities (gas
or electric), telephone or that your receive fuel
assistance.
- Child Support Payments - If you
make child support payments to someone not living
with you, proof of the legal obligation to make the
payment and the amount paid.
- Medical Expenses - If you or anyone
in your household is age 60 or older or has a certified
disability, DTA can deduct certain medical expenses
you pay from your countable income. This includes
co-payments or premiums on health insurance, dentures,
eyeglasses, hearing aid batteries, prescription medications,
doctor-prescribed pain relievers, vitamins and other
over-the-counter drugs, and transportation that you
pay for to get to medical service.
- Child Care or Adult Dependent Care Expenses
- Written statement from your care provider, or a
canceled check or money order paid to the care provider.
For more information about the documents you will need
to bring to DTA, call the FoodSource
Hotline at 800-645-8333 (TTY 800-377-1292).
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