If your family is finding it difficult to make ends meet, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, may be able to help. Even better, the value of SNAP benefits can be stretched greatly when used to purchase food through SHARE.
SNAP eligibility is largely based on income. For example, a family of three’s gross monthly income would have to fall below $1,984 in order to qualify. In fact, your family may qualify even if you are currently employed or own your own car or home. Those who already receive unemployment, Social Security, SSI or other payments may be able to receive SNAP benefits. Everyone who applies for SNAP and meets all program rules will get benefits. Benefits come on a plastic card that looks just like a credit or debit card.
Each state has a slightly different process for finding out if you are eligible for SNAP benefits.
In Wisconsin, the SNAP program is called FoodShare. If you live in the counties of Adams, Chippewa, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Dunn, Eau Claire, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, Lafayette, Monroe, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sawyer, Vernon, or Washburn, call Second Harvest Foodbank’s FoodShare Helpline toll-free at 877-366-3635 to learn if you are eligible. A volunteer will ask you some questions and, if it looks like you might be eligible, will give you more information about completing the application. In other Wisconsin counties, call 800-362-3002 or visit
http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/foodshare/.
In Illinois, call 800-843-6154 (voice) or 800-447-6404 (TTY), or visit www.dhs.state.il.us to find out how to apply.
In Michigan, call the Food and Nutrition Program Helpline at 800-481-4989 or visit www.foodstamphelp.org for more info.
In Minnesota, you can call 800-657-3698 or visit www.dhs.state.mn.us. For TTY service, call the Minnesota Relay at 800-627-3529 and ask them to call your county human services office. For the Speech-to-Speech Relay, call 877-627-3848.