Feedback from Project Bread Partner Agencies

• Review the process before you begin. Being prepared and professional shows care and respect for the client
• Even if you don’t think a person is eligible use the calculator, you might be surprised
• Have a food stamp day once a week and advertise
• Schedule appointments. Tell your clients ahead of time what documents to bring with them
• Follow-up:
• Have you client fill out the Authorized Representative form,
• Call clients after the application has been submitted to let them know you are there to help
• Remind them of the requirements such as the interview and documentation
• Let them know they can return for help

• Use the Food Source Hotline: 1-800-645-8333
• Find a system and keep improving on it

• If you are going to be regularly helping clients fill out food stamp applications, introduce yourself to the local DTA offices in your community.
• Make sure clients understand the importance of responding to DTA requests in a timely fashion. If they are having trouble getting any of the required verifications, making an appointment for their interview, understanding a requirement, etc, they or you need to be in touch with their worker promptly.
• Emphasize that the DTA will make a decision by day 30 with the information they have at the time. If verifications are missing, it could mean the denial of an otherwise approvable case, or benefits lower than they should be.
• If benefits are lower than anticipated, make sure that the client has submitted all verifications. If a deduction has not been included in DTA’s initial calculation but the client can prove the expense, they should submit the verification so that their benefits can be adjusted.
• If a case has been denied that you don’t think should have been, speak to the worker/supervisor to get the details of what when wrong.