by Theresa Carbone

Created on: November 30, 2008

Number one: DO NOT FEEL EMBARRASSED!

A greater number of people are applying for food stamps than ever before because of the slowing economy. As one may feel embarrassed or self- conscious obviously you are doing this for yourself or your family and this is a step in the correct direction.

Honestly, applying for foodstamps is a long and drawn out process, a process designed to deter people from accessing the benefits they are entitled to. The government knows that the process is ridiculous, yet they never manage to restructure the system. The process includes waiting, and waiting, and (you guessed it) more waiting. I have applied in both New York and Nevada and I believe the process is almost unbearable.

The first thing one must do is contact their local Human Resources Administration. The HRA will direct to your nearest center. You should bring with you birth certificates and social security cards for yourself and for all members of your household you are applying for. Do not be discouraged, it is not impossible to apply without a Social Security number. You should also bring a piece of official mail with your name and address on it. Also, you need to bring either an official lease or deed, or a letter from your landlord.

When you arrive, you either are instructed to take a number or stand on a line. The line is longest on Mondays and the beginning of the month, so try to avoid those days at all costs. Next, you will be instructed to fill out an application which basically asks for detailed information about you and your family. The application asks for personal information, including a list of all funds you have, owe, or are entitled too. It will ask for your education information, as well as, your housing history.

Then an interviewer will be assigned to your case. They may or may not fingerprint you before this step, so just be prepared. The interviewer is not your permanant worker. The interviewr will ask you for all the information that you have just wrote on your application. They will try to grill you, they try to seed out the scammers, so be prepared to feel a little violated. Your official worker will be assigned to you when your case officially opens.

Next, they will ask you whether or not you have any money in your pocket, if you are working or have funds on hand, you will have to wait approximately 5 days for your food stamps to kick in. If you are unemployed and face a crisis speak up, they will expedite your food stamps within 24 hours. The trick is

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