| The tips on this
page go in the same order as the questions on the application.
Not all of the questions that appear on the application
appear here. This is just a list of ideas to help you complete
the form.
SECTION 1 -
Question: "Do you have a special
situation? (check the appropriate boxes)."
Tip: If you have any special needs, such
as an interpreter or sign language, check all the boxes
that apply to you.
Question: "What is your preferred
language?"
Tip: If you feel more comfortable speaking
in English then you should write "English". If
you prefer to speak in a language other than English, then
you should list that language here.
SECTION 2 -
Question: "List your current
address."
Tip: If you live permanently at one address
and you receive mail at this same address then you only
need to write in your address one time on this page.
Question: “Are you homeless?”
Tip: If you are homeless you will still
need to provide DTA with a mailing address. You can ask
a shelter, church mission, social service agency or other
organization if they would be willing to let you receive
mail at their offices.
Question: "If a temporary address,
list your permanent address."
Tip: If you are living in one place now,
but your home is somewhere else, then you should write your
home address on this line. For example, you may be staying
with family until you can move back into your home.
Question: "If you have a different
mailing address, please list."
Tip: If you get mail where you live then
you do not need to write on this line. If you get mail at
a post office box or some other address (like a shelter,
a social service agency or a church) that is different than
the place where you live or your permanent home, then you
should write the address where you get mail.
SECTION 3 -
Question: “Do you want to give permission
to someone else to apply or get food stamp benefits
for you?
Tip: If you can’t apply for yourself,
you can ask someone you trust to apply for food stamps for
you. For example, you may ask a friend, family member, or
social worker to represent you. You should write this person’s
name, address, and other information here.
Question 4: “Is the total of your
gross monthly income before taxes and assets
you can access easily less than your total combined monthly
rent (or mortgage) and utilities?”
Tip: This question asks about your income
before taxes and other deductions (gross income). If your
gross monthly income plus any cash that you have on hand
or in the bank is less than your rent plus your utilities,
then you should check ‘yes’ for this question.
Question 7: “Are you or is anyone
in your household a victim of Domestic Violence
currently or in the past?”
Tip: If you are or were a victim of domestic
violence, you can ask DTA to limit access to information
on their application. This is also true for other members
of your household. To make your application more secure,
check 'yes.'
Question 8: “People living
with you who do not want to apply for food stamp
benefits do not need to tell us their Social Security Number
or immigration status.”
Tip: DTA does not need to know the Social
Security Number or immigration status of anyone who will
not be receiving food stamps. If there are people in your
household that are undocumented (INS does not know they
are in the USA) then you should only include their names
in this section. For example, sometimes undocumented parents
or relatives apply for food stamps for their citizen children
or disabled legal immigrant relatives. However, the earnings
of the people you live with who will not be receiving
food stamps are still counted toward the household’s
income.
Question 20: “Do you or does anyone
living with you have any child or adult dependent
care expenses?”
Tip: Childcare or adult dependent care
expenses are payments that you make to a person or center
to watch your child, children or disabled adult. In order
to get credit for childcare or adult dependent care expenses,
someone in your household must be working. You will need
to prove what you pay your childcare or dependent care provider
each month. Some common ways to prove your child/adult care
expenses are receipts or a signed letter from your child
or adult dependent care provider saying how much you pay
and how often. This person does not need to provide their
social security number, so there is no danger of their income
being reported to the Internal Revenue Service.
Question 22: “Do you or does anyone
living with you who is 60 years old or older or who is disabled
have out-of-pocket medical expenses?”
Tip: Out-of-pocket medical expenses include
insurance premiums, transportation to and from the doctor,
eyeglass and dental visits, prescriptions, and any other
medical expenses you pay from your own money that you can
prove.
Question 24: “What type of utility
expenses do you have? Gas”
Tip: Here DTA is really asking whether
or not you pay for heat. The amount you pay is not as important
as whether or not you pay for heat. Even if you do not have
gas powered heat but you do pay for heat, be sure to include
that on the application.
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English