SNAP OutreachSt. Louis Area Foodbank

2013 All Agency Conference

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

What is SNAP?

Formally the Food Stamp Program A Federal assistance program that helps low

income households purchase healthy food. FY 2012 51 million people per month

What is SNAP?

Benefits are placed on a LINK card (like a debit card)

SNAP puts benefits on card once a monthPrograms to help clients learn about

healthier food options and exercise

What is SNAP?

Every $5 in new SNAP benefits = $9.20 in local economic activity.

On average, $1 billion of retail food demand by SNAP recipients generates 3,300 farm jobs.

5% increase SNAP participation rate nationwide = 2.1 million more low-income people would have an additional $973 million in benefits each year to purchase healthy food.

Quick SNAP Facts

Clients can still qualify even if they receive other benefits.

Average monthly SNAP benefit per person is $133.85, or less than $1.50 a meal.

SNAP currently reaches only 56 percent of eligible working poor households.

Half of all new participants will leave the program within nine months.

Quick SNAP Facts

Quick SNAP Facts 48% of all participants are children 79% of all benefits

go to households with children 58% of households with children are headed

by single parents $711 is the average gross monthly income per

SNAP household

Quick SNAP Facts 90% of poor older adults – 87% of

households with elderly are eligible for SNAP benefits

11.4% (over 5 million seniors)experienced some form of food insecurity

76% of SNAP households included an elderly person or a disabled person.

Myth: “I have a job; therefore, I do not qualify.”

Myth: “If I received SNAP, I would not be able to receive food from a pantry.”

Myth: “I have been denied before, so I won’t be able to get them now either.”

Common Misconceptions

Myth: “SNAP is a welfare program.” Myth: “Other people need SNAP benefits

more than I do.” Myth: “I only get $8 and it isn’t worth it.”

◦Minimum in IL is $16

Common Misconceptions

What Can $16 Buy?

People in Household

Maximum Gross Monthly Income

Maximum Gross Monthly Income (Age 60 & Over or Disabled)

1 $1,211 $1,862

2 $1,640 $2,522

3 $2,069 $3,182

4 $2,498 $3,842

5 $2,927 $4,502

6 $3,356 $5,162

7 $3,785 $5,822

8 $4,214 $6,482

9 $4,643 $7,142

10 $5,072 $7,802

Income Eligibility

Other Factors:Citizenship or immigration status Household Expenses

◦ i.e. utilities, rent or mortgage, medical, child care, etc.

Non-work Income◦ i.e. child support, Social Security, SSI, Veterans

Affairs benefits, etc.

Additional Guidelines

Apply online or submit a paper application to local DHS.

2-3 Weeks – client will receive a letter in the mail with date and time of DHS

Interview◦ Interview – face-to-face or via phone◦ Interview – must submit all necessary documents

Application Process

30 Days – client will receive a letter explaining eligibility status. If client is eligible, the amount of monthly benefits will be disclosed.

40-50 Days – if client is eligible, a LINK will be mailed to them and must be activated.

6 months – 1 year after clients receives card, client will need to renew SNAP benefits - notified via letter

Application Process

Identity◦ Examples: birth certificate, driver’s license, etc.

Residency◦ Examples: utility bills, rental agreement or

mortgage statement Immigration Status

◦ Examples: Immigration or naturalization papers

Necessary Documents

Medical Expense Deduction◦ Examples: billing statements, Medicare card

indicating Part “B” drugs, etc. Earned Income

◦ Examples: pay stubs, income tax forms, statement from employer as to gross wages

Unearned Income◦ Examples: bank statements showing direct

deposit, letter showing money received for Social Security, SSI, child support, etc.

Necessary Documents

Distributing accurate information Pre-screening clients

◦ Eligibility calculator Application assistance

◦ Online (Illinois)◦ Paper applications

Universal – 2378B (IL) SNAP – 0683 (IL)

Redetermination

SNAP Outreach

Help dissolve common misconceptions or negative feelings towards SNAP

Lack of staff Lack of space Knowledge / Training

Agency Challenges

Client ChoiceReduce strain on food pantry supplyProviding additional assistance to clients in

needOpportunity for progression/growth

Agency Benefits

Overcoming negative feelings towards SNAP or DHS/DSS

Misinformation Transportation

Client Challenges

Client ChoiceChance to put food on the table for their

childrenKeep elderly family members independentMake transition to self-sufficiency

Client Benefits

Support local food retailers Generate economic activity

◦ $5 in new SNAP = $9.20 in community spending Support farms Leverage Federal funds A 5 percent increase in SNAP participation =

$1.8 billion total in new economic activity Nationwide

Local Economic Benefits

Hosting STL Foodbank SNAP Outreach Coordinator◦ Help advertise to clients◦ Help advertise within your community

Providing accurate information and materials◦ Work to change perceptions of SNAP

Refer clients to available services

What You Can Do

Training sessions◦ With STL Foodbank Coordinator◦ Application Assistance

Healthy buying and budgeting workshops

What You Can Do

Stay informed and up-to-date on legislation pertaining to SNAP◦ i.e. Farm Bill

Write to local legislators

SNAP Advocacy

Seniors - vulnerable population that can sometimes be overlooked

Senior centers and residential housing facilities

Partnering with Meals on Wheels program◦ Homebound Seniors – home visits and provide

application assistance

What We are Doing

Children◦ School pantries◦ Partnering with School districts in our service

territory

What We Are Doing

USDA Food and Nutrition Service http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/faqs.htm

Feeding Americahttp://www.feedingamerica.org

National Hunger Hotline1-866-3-HUNGRY

DHS (IL) or DSS (MO)◦ http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30357◦ http://www.dss.mo.gov/fsd/fstamp/

Resources

Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2009, USDA FNS

Feeding America http://blog.feedingamerica.org/tag/snap/

Illinois Hunger Coalitionhttp://www.ilhunger.org/programs.html

SNAP “Putting Healthy Food Within Reach: State Outreach Toolkit”, USDA FNS

“The Benefits of Increasing SNAP Participation In Your State”, USDA FNS

References