If you are looking for help on how to apply for food stamps in Maine, then you’ve come to the right place. This article will review the step-by-step process for completing your Maine food stamps application, including eligibility and what you need to successfully complete your application. This post will provide information on the following topics:
- Overview of the Food Stamps Program
- How Much You Could Receive In Food Stamps
- Maine Food Stamps Eligibility Requirements
- How to Apply for Food Stamps in Maine
- What Happens After You Apply
About the Food Stamps Program
The Food Stamps Program also called Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers help to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families living in the United States.
The program provides qualifying low-income households with food benefits, access to a healthy diet and education on food preparation and nutrition.
SNAP is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services. Benefits are distributed by each state’s Division of Social Services or Children and Family Services.
The food stamps program is the largest economic assistance program offered by the federal government to fight hunger. In 2016, the government spent $70.9 billion on the Food Stamps Program, helping roughly 44.2 million Americans (14% of the population).
Who Can Apply for Food Stamps
The Food Stamps Program was created to help fight hunger and to improve the nutrition and health of those on a low income. The program helps people with limited money buy the food they need for good health. This includes individuals who:
- Are employed but have low income
- Are living on a small or fixed income
- Have lost their job
- Are retired or disabled and not able to work
How Much In Food Stamps Will I Receive?
If you are eligible for food stamps, how much you receive primarily depends on the number of people in your household, your income, and resources. To see if your household size and income may qualify for food stamps, use the table provided below.
The table shows the maximum income amount you can receive each month based on the number of people in your household for 2019.
What Can I Buy with Food Stamps?
Once you’ve been approved for food stamps, you may wonder what you can buy with your food stamp benefits.
There are strict requirements about what you can and cannot purchase with food stamps. Generally, you are allowed to buy food you plan to take home and prepare.
You can use your benefits to buy food such as:
- Bread and cereals
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meats, fish, and poultry
- Dairy products
- Seeds and plants to grow food
You cannot use your benefits to buy:
- Non Food items (pet foods, paper products, cleaning products, household supplies, grooming items, cosmetics, etc.)
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
- Food that is prepared and can be eaten in the store
- Hot, ready-to-eat food
- Vitamins and medicines
- Baby food, diapers, and other supplies
Maine Food Stamps Program
The Maine food stamps program is run by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The Maine DHHS is responsible for determining SNAP eligibility and for the delivery of food stamp benefits. The DHHS also provides education and employment training services to food stamp recipients.
To find out what you need to successfully apply for food stamps in Maine, keep reading our post below.
Maine Food Stamp Eligibility Requirements
If you would like to apply for food stamps in Maine, you must first meet the eligibility requirements. Of all the requirements, the income limit is the biggest factor that determines whether you are approved for benefits. Make sure you review the Maine income limit to see if you are eligible before applying.
If your income does not meet the limit, you will not be eligible for Maine food stamp benefits. If you are not eligible, there may be other government or nutrition assistance programs you qualify for.
Here is the full list of Maine food stamps eligibility requirements:
1. Residency
To receive Maine food stamps, you must be a resident of the state of Maine.
2. Citizenship
Only United States citizens and certain categories of lawfully admitted non-citizens can apply for food stamps. If you are a non-citizen, see our detailed article on the topic here.
3. Income
If your income (based on your household size) is less than or equal to the limit amount listed in the chart below, then you may be eligible for SNAP benefits.
To see if your income is eligible, you must calculate your household’s monthly total gross income and total net income.
Gross Income
Gross income is a household’s total, non-excluded income before any deductions have been made such as taxes or other withholdings.
Net Income
Net income is a household’s total gross income minus allowable deductions.
Allowable Deductions
The standard allowable deductions for food assistance benefits can include:
- Shelter costs
- Household size costs
- Childcare costs
- Medical expenses for the elderly or disabled
- Child support costs
The total monthly gross and net income limit for 2019 is shown in the table below:
What counts as Income?
One commonly asked question among food stamps applicants is, “What counts as income?”
Income is any earned or unearned money from sources, such as:
- Employment Wage or Salary (before payroll taxes)
- Cash assistance
- Social Security
- Unemployment insurance
- Child support
Please note that:
- If your household’s gross income is below these amounts, it does not ensure that you will be eligible for benefits.
- A SNAP budget must be calculated for your household in order to determine eligibility and benefit amount.
- The only way to determine if your household is eligible for SNAP benefits is to complete an application for Maine food stamps.
For a detailed post on how to calculate your monthly gross and net income, including the documents you’ll be required to present to support your food stamps application, check out our 2019 Food Stamps Income Limit article.
4. Resources
Households may have up to $2,250 in countable resources or $3,500 If a household member is age 60 or older, or is disabled. Countable resources include cash or money in a bank account.
What counts as Resources?
Countable resources are defined as any monetary source that can be available to the household to purchase food. This includes money in a bank account and cash savings.
Items that are not accessible, such as the household’s home, personal property, and retirement savings, do not count. Also, most automobiles do not count as accessible resources.
How to Apply for Food Stamps in Maine
Here are the four ways you can apply for food assistance in Maine:
1. Apply Online
You can apply for Maine food assistance online by visiting the Maine DHHS online benefits portal, My Maine Connection. To access the My Maine Connection website follow this link.
Click the “Sign Up” link on the right-side of the screen to register for a My Maine Connection account and begin your application for benefits.
2. Apply by Mail
To apply for Maine food stamps by mail, download the Maine food assistance application here. Once completed, mail in the application plus any additional requested information to your local DHHS office.
You can also request to have an application mailed to you by calling the Maine DHHS help hotline at 1-877-463-6207.
To find your local DHHS office mailing address, click here.
3. Apply by Fax
You can also apply for Maine food stamp benefits by faxing in your completed application to your local DHHS office. To find out the fax number for your local DHHS office, visit the County Office page here.
Be sure to fax in copies of your income, employment and expense verification information with your completed Maine food assistance application.
4. Apply In Person
The last way to apply for Maine food stamp benefits is by visiting your local Department of Health and Human Services office. Click the following link to find the DHHS office in your county.
Before you visit, be sure you have all income and eligibility verification information with you. You will not be able to submit your application without proof of income, residence, and expenses.
What you Need to Apply
You will need to provide several items in order to successfully complete your application and interview for Maine food assistance.
You will need to provide:
- Identification – Birth certificate or driver’s license
- Non-citizen documentation (if applicable)
- Social Security number for everyone in your household
- Proof of earned & unearned income – Pay stub, Social Security payments, etc.
- Proof of Assets – Bank statements
What to Expect After You Apply
After you apply for Maine food assistance benefits, you will be asked to complete an interview. The interview for food stamp benefits is conducted over the phone or in-person by your DHHS caseworker. You will be asked to verify your situation and information provided in the application during your interview.
Once the interview has been completed, you can expect to receive a notice in the mail stating if you qualify for benefits, what benefits you qualify for, how much you will receive and when you will receive them.
Maine DHHS Contact Information
For additional questions about the SNAP application process, you can call the Maine DHHS Office of Family Independence at the phone number below:
Phone Number: 1-855-797-4357 Option 5
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Email: [email protected]
DHHS Service Information Hotline: 1-877-463-6207
Email:
How will I Receive Benefits?
If you are approved Maine food assistance, your benefit amount will be deposited to your Maine Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, also known as the Pine Tree card on the same day each month.
The Maine EBT card is a plastic, debit-like card that can be used at point-of-sale (POS) terminals to purchase eligible food items. Your Maine EBT card will be mailed to you and have your name, card number, and the Maine EBT logo on it. Your EBT card can be used to buy groceries and other food items at stores that accept food stamps.
How Long Will it Take to Receive Benefits?
If you are in a crisis situation and need food assistance immediately, benefits can be provided within seven days, if you are eligible. You must meet certain criteria in order to qualify for expedited food assistance services.
How Long Can I Be on Food Stamps?
There are no limits to how long you can get food stamps if you have children/dependents living in your household that are under the age of 18 or over the age of 50. If you are a single, able-bodied adult receiving food stamps and do not have dependents in your home, you can only receive food stamps for 3 consecutive months in a 36-month period.
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We hope this post about applying for Maine food assistance was helpful to you! If you have any additional questions about how to apply for food stamps in Maine, please leave those in the comments section below. If you have complaints about your experience applying for the Maine SNAP program, we would like to hear from you. Please let us know in the comments.