If you are applying for TEA benefits for a child, proof of that child's age and proof of that child's relationshipto you. NOTE: SNAP allows certain households to use a "utility standard." Ask your worker if actualcosts or the utility standard will be best for your household. Proof of current utility bills, only if you want to use your actual utility costs to calculate your SNAP benefitamount. Proof of medical expenses for household members over the age of 60 or living with a disability, only if youwant these expenses to be claimed. Proof of the value of resources such as, but not limited to, bank accounts, certificates of deposit, stocks,bonds, and vehicles. Documentation of legal alien status for each non-citizen applying for benefits. Helpful documents for SNAP and TEA: A Social Security Number (SSN) or proof of application for an SSN for each householdmember applying for benefits. In addition to food assistance, the program provides SNAP recipients with nutrition education, employment and training, and work experience in some cases. Farmers markets are available for SNAP benefits as well as eligible retailers. SNAP benefits can be used to purchase eligible food items for home consumption including seeds and plants which produce food for consumption by SNAP households. Benefits are distributed through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramThe Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as Food Stamp Program) provides food assistance to eligible households to cover a portion of a household's food budget. In the most recent survey from the nonprofit Feeding America, in 2021, Arkansas topped the list of states for families with low food security.Clay County Department of Human Services Details Hunger-fighting groups hope the situation has changed, but not everyone has recovered financially. "We had a lot of calls from people who had never in their life had to ask anyone for assistance for food, to feed their family, and they were devastated," May recalled. May recalled how tough the situation was, and how important it was for organizations like hers to be able to respond quickly. More than 260,000 Arkansas households did not have a sufficient amount of food during the pandemic. "Someone did tell me today, was two families that lost their food stamps, and they said it was very critical." "We have had, probably in the last three or four weeks, a great influx of calls getting on our schedule," Tucker noted. Department of Agriculture, meaning they didn't have enough to eat because they could not get or afford sufficient food.įour Arkansas Food Banks have said visits to their pantries are as high or higher than they were at the height of the pandemic.ĭ'Wan Tucker, ministry assistant at the Central Christian Church Food Distribution Center, said there has been a noticeable uptick in need. About 6.3% of Arkansans experienced "very low" food security between 20, according to the U.S. The bill also allows for adjusting the asset limit to qualify for SNAP benefits, based on inflation. "Because of the increase in grocery cost, we are still having a lot of people call, ask for assistance, that either have had assistance in the past or maybe before COVID, they were kind of getting by, but now they're really struggling," May observed. The Department of Human Services can now request a special waiver to allow a household to qualify for SNAP benefits, but only for one year, and only once every five years.Ĭathy May, director of SNAP and WIC outreach for the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, applauded the change, noting food insecurity continues to steadily rise. High inflation since the pandemic prompted the Arkansas Senate majority to pass Temporary Relief Act 675. People may still be able to qualify for SNAP food benefits if they have up to $5,500 in assets, under a bill passed by the Arkansas Legislature.
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