SNAP Outreach Northwest Georgia
ACFB and CAFB Both the Atlanta Community Food Bank and the Chattanooga Area Food Bank have Benefits Outreach We are both part of the Compass Community Partnership with Georgia DHS We have slight variation in our programs, but the concept is the same: Our staff helps our neighbors access public benefits by going out into out communities.
SNAP in our Communities County Estimated % of Population Receiving Food Stamps Estimated % of Population NOT Receiving Food Stamps though financially eligible Bartow 14% 8% Catoosa 12% 7% Chattooga 22% 12% Cherokee 7% 6% Cobb 9% 7% Dade 15% 7% Douglas 16% 7% Fannin 15% 15% Floyd 17% 10% Gilmer 16% 8% Gordon 17% 9% Murray 19% 11% Paulding 11% 7% Pickens 13% 6% Polk 21% 8% Walker 17% 8% Whitfield 16% 10% American Communities Survey 2014 estimates
Who Receives SNAP Children (44%) Seniors (10%) Disabled (10%) Working (43%) Farson Gray, Kelsey and Shivani Kochhar. (2015) Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2014. Prepared by Mathematica Policy Research for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (available online at www.fns.usda.gov/research-and-analysis).
SNAP/Food Stamps The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as the Food Stamp Program, is a federally funded program that provides monthly benefits to low-income households to help pay for the cost of food.
Households A household may be one person living alone, a family, or several unrelated individuals who live together and routinely purchase and prepare meals together. The decision of whether or not an individual must be included in the household is based on federal regulations.
Financial Eligibility Household Size Gross monthly income (130% of poverty) Net monthly income (100% of poverty) 1 $1,276 $ 981 2 1,726 1,328 3 2,177 1,675 4 2,628 2,021 5 3,078 2,368 6 3,529 2,715 7 3,980 3,061 8 4,430 3,408 Each additional member +451 +347
Categorical Eligibility Must be a citizen or a legal resident If a college or technical school student, must be working 20 hours a week or be approved for federal work study Cannot live with primary caregivers and receive benefits independently if under the age of 22
Application Process 1. Application completed and verification documents submitted 2. Phone Interview and additional documents submitted 3. Case processed in a maximum of 30 business days 4. Benefits are on Card in 48 hours. New cards are received in 7-10 business days
Verification Documents Proof of Identity ID Birth Certificate if not born in Georgia Proof of income (any liquid assets).: Earned Income i.e. pay stubs, letter of employment Unearned Income: child support, SSDI/SSI, VA, Pension, Unemployment, Alimony Shelter Expenses: Rent/lot rent, mortgage, homeowners insurance, property tax Unities bills such as water, power, gas, waste removal, wood/propane. Proof of child care/adult care expenses Proof of medical expenses for elderly (individuals of the age of 60 or above) and/or disabled.
Standard Medical Deduction Medical expenses totaling more than $35 a person can receive $185 of deductions for seniors and disabled. This enables these individuals additional benefits, averaging a $35 increase. Medical expenses include: medical and dental services, prescription drugs, health insurance costs, medical supplies or equipment. Travel Expenses to & from medical (keep a log & receipts). For over-the-counter medicines alternative medical services service animal
Changes During the Great Recession that are remaining Non-liquid assets aren t accounted for Recently or Near future Drug Felony ban is over beginning in July ABAWDs implemented Being rolled out Cannot apply online New computer system with more programs In pilot phases
ABAWDs Able Bodied Working Adults An able bodied adult with out dependents must work a minimum of 80 hours in a month through work, work fare, or approved training program to continue receiving food stamps A person can not meet this requirements for 3 total months in a 3 year period before they are sanctioned from the program
Break Out Luisa Fortin SNAP Outreach Coordinator lfortin@chattfoodbank.org 423.622.1800 ex.214 Jolene Glenn Benefits Outreach Manager jolene.glenn@acfb.org 404-832-4960 678-553-5917