Food stamps in the Metro AreaThis is a featured page

Am I eligibile?
AmeriCorps State and National are eligible for sinlge adult benefits of around $162 a month in food. This is because AmeriCorps Allowance does not count as a wage. For VISTA, if you were on food stamps before starting your VISTA service, your living allowance will not count against you. If as a VISTA you apply for food stamps, your living allowance will count as a wage, and so will count against you. You may qualify to receive a small postion of the $162.

What should I bring with me?
Rental agreement
Pay stubs (2 months worth, including previous job if you worked right up until AmeriCorps) from AmeriCorps site
Driver's License/ID
A copy of your current bank statement (You can print them off the internet if you have online banking)
Social Security card or Passport
A copy of your AmeriCorps contract
A letter from your coordinator stating that you are not a VISTA
Filled out download of the Combined Application Form (online at: http://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Legacy/DHS-3469-ENG.) You can get this form when you get there but it is a pain to fill out and things will probably go faster if you do it online.



Where do I apply?

Hennepin County
Century Plaza
330 S. 12th St.
612 596-1300 (They never pick up)
Office is on the 3rd floor.
http://www.co.hennepin.mn.us/portal/site/HCInternet/menuitem.77d27cbcd42457649bfa04a6c8c06498/?vgnextoid=00bdbe2f09b7c010VgnVCM1000000f094689RCRD


Ramsey County
160 E Kellogg Blvd
651 266-4444
Office is on the 1st floor.
http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/hs/financialassistance.htm#apply

I don't have info for the other counties, but there should be stuff online that you can find.

Other Tips and Hints
If you have savings over $2000, you may be disqualified. Some people have asked family members to hold money in their accounts or made large payments towards existing loans.

Cars do not account against you.

If you have room/housemates, you share nothing with them. If you admit to sharing food or anything else, you will need to provide all of their information as well as your own.

Fill out your household report form on time every month or they will cut off your food stamps and getting them re-instated is a pain. They usually mail it the day it is due- so make sure to send it as soon as you get it. Hennepin county case workers usually accepted faxed reports, Ramsey country generally refuses and wants it in the mail.
If you do not have another job besides AmeriCorps, and your case worker is nice- it is possible to set up an arrangement where you do not need to fill out monthly reports. (Use your contract to prove that you have a set "salary". The key here is a caseworked who is nice.

VISTA's are eligible for food stamps as well- but not for the full portion. This is because the funding for VISTA's comes from a different location, and their allowance counts as a wage.



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KajaTally
Latest page update: made by KajaTally , Jul 24 2008, 4:17 PM EDT (about this update About This Update KajaTally Edited by KajaTally

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Keyword tags: food stamps
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stephaniey VISTA food stamp eligibility 0 Jan 31 2008, 5:09 PM EST by stephaniey
Thread started: Jan 31 2008, 5:09 PM EST  Watch
Are you sure VISTAs aren't eligible? I know a few who have foodstamps.
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