Federal Food Stamp Program

The Federal Food Stamp Program is an individual income-based program to promote the general welfare and to safeguard the health and well being of the Nation’s population by raising the levels of nutrition among low-income households.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

In a single-person household, elders age 60+ or disabled persons with less than $851 net monthly income may be eligible for food stamps. In addition, persons in institutions must meet one of the following criteria:

• 60 years of age or older;
• Receives supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act or Disability or Blindness payments under titles I, II, X, XIV, XVI of the Social Security Act;
• Receives federally or state-administered supplemental benefits under section 1616(a) of the Social Security Act provided that the eligibility to receive the benefits is based upon the disability or blindness criteria used under title XVI of the Social Security Act,
• Receives federally or state-administered supplemental benefits under section 212(a) of Pub.L. 93-66;
• Receives disability retirement benefits from a governmental agency because of a disability considered permanent under section 221(i) of the Social Security Act.

Residents of federally subsidized housing for the elderly and disabled or blind individuals who are residents of group living arrangements (ALFs) are treated as a one-person household for food stamp purposes.

Note: Most residents are not eligible for food stamps if they receive the majority of their meals (over 50 percent of three meals daily) at an assisted living facility.

FACILITY INFORMATION:

Only facilities that are licensed by AHCA, have 16 or fewer beds, and are non-profit, may contract with the Department of Children and Families to accept food stamps. The total cost to the facility is a one-time purchase of the equipment used to process EBT cards ($600-$800).