It's estimated that at the start of 2009, as many as 28 million Americans were receiving food stamps, more than at any time prior. But, while just about everyone can always use a little help making ends meet, not everyone qualifies for this particular type of assistance.
The Access Florida portal is designed to assist individuals apply for food stamps, temporary cash assistance and Medicaid. Their website includes a description of the available benefits, the qualifications, a prescreening tutorial, and the applications for the programs themselves.
Florida has very specific eligibility requirements for food stamps, every single one of which must be met to qualify for food stamps. The first requirements deal with the individual applying for food stamp assistance. To qualify, they must be a US citizen or qualifying noncitizen, and a Florida resident. They must also have a Social Security Number and valid identification. Those who meet these requirements and are also able-bodied enough to work, that is to say are not disabled, and are between 18 and 50 years of age, are automatically limited to three months of food stamps in any given three-year period unless they are employed or participating in a workfare program at least 20 hours per week. Fugitive felons and those convicted of drug trafficking do not qualify at all.
The next requirements concern the applicant's household. This refers to their primary place of residence and all those who live there. Those households that qualify will have no more than $2000 in total assets including all bank accounts and owned property, not counting the homestead itself and any cars worth less than $8500. The only exception to this requirement is if at least one person in the household is age 60 or older or disabled, in which case the household can have up to $3000 in total assets. In addition to the eligibility requirements for total assets, qualifying households must have monthly gross income (before taxes) less than or equal to 130% of the federal poverty level AND net income (after taxes) less than or equal to 100% of the federal poverty level. The federal poverty level depends on the number of individuals in the household, so check here for the applicable figures. For most states, the federal poverty line for a household of four in 2008 was $21,200 annually, or $1766 monthly.
If these requirements are met, the application for food stamps can be filled out online here.