What Are Food Stamps?

Food Stamps are electronic benefits that can be used like cash to buy food at any store that has a sign displaying the Cardinal Card or the Quest sign.

Each eligible household will receive a card that may be used like a bank debit card to purchase eligible food items from your account.

Steps to Apply

1. Complete screening for potential eligibility
2. Submit application to your local department of social services (you can also pick up an application at your local office or ask them to mail one to you).

Note: Proof of identity (driver's license or picture I.D.), residence, income, resource and shelter expenses are required. An interview is also required.

You may also apply for food stamps at your local department of social services the same day you request an application, however, you interview may be held later. You may also mail, fax, e-mail your application or apply online.

Applications for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or General Relief, are considered an application for food stamps, unless you request otherwise.

If all members have applied for or get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you may also apply for food stamps at the local Social Security office.

What If A Person Is Not Able To Come In To The Local Department?

An application can be mailed to you or apply online. A spouse or any adult member of your household may apply for you. Or, you may name a trusted friend, relative or neighbor to be your authorized representative. This person may:

• Apply for food stamps for your household;
• Receive a Cardinal Card that can access your food stamp account;
• Use your food stamp benefits for you at the grocery store;
• Receive copies of your food stamp notices and correspondence.

How Is A Representative Named?

If you want to name an authorized representative, write a note for that person to take to the local social services department. In the note:

• List the name, address and phone number of the person you are naming;
• List the duties you want that person to perform;
• Sign and date the note. You may also name a representative on the application form.

Work Requirement to Receive Food Stamps

If you are age 18 to 50 and able to work, you may be subject to a work requirement in order to receive food stamps. This requirement would limit the number of months for which you could receive food stamps to three months in a 36 month period. After you receive food stamps for three months, you may be able to receive three additional months if you complete certain work related requirements. You may be exempt from this work requirement if you are currently working or participating in an approved work program; responsible for the care of a child; pregnant; medically certified as unable to work; meet one of several work registration exemption reasons; or live in an exempt locality.

How Are Food Stamps Issued?

Food stamp benefits are issued electronically. The Case Name will receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card called the Cardinal Card, either through the mail or at the local agency. Each month your household's food stamp allotment will be added to your EBT account. You must put the EBT card through the card scanner at the grocery or give the card to the grocer to access the account. You must also use a secret Personal Identification Number (PIN). The benefits in your EBT account may be carried over from one month to another but if you do not use some of the benefits within 60 days, you may lose access to the benefits.

What Can Be Bought With Food Stamps?

You can use food stamps to buy food or seeds and plants to grow food in your home garden.You cannot use food stamps to buy:

• Alcoholic beverages or tobacco;
• Hot foods ready for immediate consumption or foods to be eaten on the store premises;
• Pet foods;
• Soap or paper products or other non-food items.
  You cannot use food stamps to pay back grocery bills.

At the checkout counter, tell the cashier beforehand that you will pay with the Cardinal Card. Depending on the store, you may need to separate the items you can pay for with food stamps from other items.

You will not be charged sales tax on food items or meals purchased with food stamps.

Head Of Household

You may select any adult member as the head of your household. If you select either an adult parent of a child any age or an adult who acts as a guardian for a child under age 18, all the adults in the household must agree with your choice for head of household or the agency will choose the head of your household.

If you select any other adult or you do not select a head of household, and someone in your household does not cooperate with an employment and training program or reduces the hours worked or quits a job without good cause, the agency will choose the head of household to be the person who earned the most money from working during the previous two months.

If the person selected as head of household does not cooperate as required with an employment program or reduces the hours worked or quits a job without good cause, your household may not be able to get food stamps for up to 6 months.

You may select the head of your household every time you apply for food stamps. If there is a parent-child combination, you may change your selection whenever someone joins or leaves your household. Tell your worker if you want to change your selection.

Penalties For Food Stamp Program Violations

You must not give false information or hide information to get food stamps. You must not trade or sell the EBT card or your PIN. You must not allow a retailer to debit your EBT account in exchange for cash. You must not change EBT cards to get food stamps you are not eligible to receive. You must not use food stamps to buy non-food items, such as alcohol, tobacco or paper products. You must not use someone else's food stamps or EBT card for your household.

Anyone intentionally breaking any of these rules could be barred from receiving food stamps for 12 months (1st violation); barred for 24 months (2nd violation); barred permanently (3rd violation); subject to $250,000 fine, imprisoned up to 20 years, or both; suspended for an additional 18 months and further prosecuted under other federal and state laws.

Anyone who intentionally gives false information or hides information about identity or residence to get food stamps in more than one household at the same time could be barred for 10 years.

Anyone convicted of trading food stamps for a controlled substance could be barred from receiving food stamps for 24 months (1st violation) and barred permanently (2nd violation).

Anyone convicted of trading food stamps for firearms, ammunition, or explosive could be barred permanently (1st violation).

Anyone convicted for trading or selling food stamps of $500 or more could be barred permanently.

Anyone convicted of a drug-related felony committed after August 22, 1996, could be barred permanently.

For additional information on program rules, federal regulations, income limits and retailer information visit the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture Web site.

Authority
Federal Legal Base - Food Stamp Act of 1977, Public Law 95-113
Federal Regulation Base - 7 CFR, 271 through 282.11
State Legal Base - Section 63.1-25.2, Code of Virginia

Civil Rights Compliance
In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs, or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write:
USDA
Director, Office of Civil Rights
Room 326-W
Whitten Building
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20250-9410
(202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.