Formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the government’s anti-hunger initiative helping Americans maintain a nutritionally adequate diet. More than 75 percent of food stamp participants are in families with children; while nearly one-third are elderly or have disabilities.
The federal government pays the full cost of food stamp benefits and splits the cost of administering the program with the states, which independently operate SNAP. For the most part, food stamp eligibility rules and benefit levels are uniform across the nation.
For the five-year period beginning January, 2006, the number of Utahns receiving food stamps skyrocketed 124 percent. On a national level, participation rose just 66 percent in the same period.
Most households received $20 to $24 per person per month. Signed into law in February 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act temporarily boosted food stamp benefits by 13.6 percent.
The Utah Department of Workforce Services is responsible in the Beehive State for eligibility determination and case management of food stamps, temporary cash assistance and Medicaid assistance through the SNAP program.
Although a face-to-face interview may be required to document identity, eligibility, immigration status, household composition, income, resources, and deductable expenses, an initial online application can be processed at http://www.utahhelps.utah.gov/.
Standard.com
