Who is eligible for food stamps?
Eligibility is determined on the basis of financial (income and resources) and non-financial (citizenship, social security number, work requirements) factors. A household is generally defined as a person or a group of people living together, but not necessarily related, who buy and cook food together. The Food Stamp Program is an entitlement program: anyone who meets eligibility requirements is entitled to receive benefits. The new welfare bill substantially tightened these requirements, making it harder for many persons to qualify for benefits. In California, people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are not eligible for food stamps. Most households must have gross incomes below 130% of the poverty line ($1,445/month for a family of three). All households, including those with elderly and disabled members, must have net incomes (gross minus allowable deductions) below 100% ($1,111/month for a family of three) of the poverty line to qualify for benefits. Most households may
