by Author Name Withheld 13

Created on: December 19, 2008

Your bills are closing in on you and cutting your avenue of escape. Your monthly expenditures are unforgiving; none of them wants to budge for you. Something has to give, but what? You've already given up cable, phone plans, movies and other entertainment. There's one more item that could give, but you're not ready to go there.

You know that you could use the help, but how do you reconcile breaking a bunch of "food stamps" out in front of a long line of people? What if one of your friends was in that line? What if a former coworker, who wanted to see you while you're "down," was behind you?

But, here's our secret, nobody needs to know that you're using food stamps; not even the person standing behind you in line. Applying for them in Massachusetts is very convenient, and you can apply without setting foot in a Department of Transitional Assistance office.

1. Access Massachusetts' Department of Transitional Assistance webpage, see resources below. Go to the "For Government" tab, and select "Food Assistance" under the "What we do" column. Scroll down to click the hyperlink that reads "Proceed to the Online Application." Read the Hint section below to see if you qualify for food stamps. If you do, proceed to the next step.

2. Click the "Food Stamps Benefits" hyperlink. Scroll down to "Application Process" and click on the hyperlink to the Food Stamp Application. You could choose between MS Word, or PDF. Print and complete the application that comes up.

3. Complete Block 1 for personal information; block 2 for your address information; block 3 if you have people helping you with the application; block 4 if someone is representing you; block 5 if you're requesting to waive a face to face interview; block 6 detailing your citizenship; and block 7 for information on people living with you.

4. Answer the screening questions until you get to Block 15, "earnings." Provide household earning information in Block 15 and Block 16. Continue answering the screening questions until you get to the "Rights and Responsibilities" section.

5. Read the Rights and Responsibilities section to make sure that your application is legitimate. Thoroughly read the warning section, the penalties are stiff if you don't comply with the food stamp program requirements. Sign and date the application.

6. Mail the application to the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance office that covers your area. You can find this address by going to the page you got your application from. Click on the

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