Actual a partir de Julio 7, 2020
El aumento de $600 en asistencia federal para los beneficios de desempleo va a terminar en Julio 25. Muchas familias buscaran ingresos adicionales durante este tiempo. Este documento puedo ayudarlo decidir si usted será elegible en recibir asistencia de estampías para comida, (conocido como SNAP en inglés).
Muchos grupos de gente no van a necesitar aplicar para asistencia de estampías para comida, (SNAP), porque estarán elegible automáticamente. Esta información es para identificar los grupos que se encuentran inelegible en este momento. Alguna gente será inelegible y el programa es complicado. Si usted cree que fue negado por error, por favor llame al número de Servicios Legales del Sureste de Louisiana COVID-10 línea directa legal, 1-844-244-7871. Es posible que nuestra oficina pueda darle asistencia legal gratuita.
En desastres pasados, más gente recibió asistencia de estampías para comida, (SNAP), por la existencia de otras reglas especiales. Gente tenía que aplicar para estampías en eventos especiales. Para la crisis de COVID-19 no hay asistencia por desastre para estampías de comida, (conocido como Disaster SNAP en inglés). Sin embargo las reglas normales para esta asistencia son las que aplican durante esta crisis. Pero es posible que más personas serán elegibles en recibir esta asistencia por el número de personas sin trabajo.
Tenga en mente lo siguiente si usted decide aplicar para asistencia de estampías para comida, (SNAP). Usted puede ser inelegible en recibir esta asistencia si no cumple con estos requisitos.
*Si en su hogar hay otras familias que viven con usted y en están debajo su responsabilidad, usted tiene que contarlos como miembros de su hogar aunque no coman con usted.
Pero hay ingresos de dinero que no cuentan en esta calculación.
Las personas que están en esta lista son inelegibles en recibir ayuda si:
Cuentas de banco, dinero efectivo, certificados de depósitos (CDs), acciones en el mercado de valores, propiedad, bonos y cualquier tipo de activos son contados. Lo que no se cuenta es:
Hay algunos tipos de recursos que no se cuentan. Si tiene una situación especial, llame al número de Servicios Legales del Sureste de Louisiana COVID-10. La línea directa es 1-844-244-7871.
Solo ciudadanos y algunos extranjeros son elegibles para los beneficios de SNAP. Si solo hay algunos miembros en el hogar que son ciudadanos, la aplicación solo debe incluir a esas personas.
Para cualificar para SNAP, Residentes permanentes debe haber tenido su tarjeta de residencia por lo menos 5 años. Hay algunas excepciones y son:
Inmigrantes que son adultos y no son elegibles en recibir SNAP todavía pueden aplicar para sus hijos o miembros de hogar que sean ciudadanos Americanos. Pero es importante que solo estos niños sean contados como miembros de la familia.
Current as of July 7, 2020
The federal $600 increase in Unemployment benefits will end July 25. Many families will find themselves needing to look for more income. This document can help you decide whether you might be eligible for SNAP (formerly food stamps).
Some groups of people need not apply for SNAP, because they will be found ineligible. This piece is meant to identify the largest groups of people who are ineligible. Some other people are ineligible, and the program can be complicated. If you believe you have been denied in error, please feel free to call Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Covid-19 Legal Hotline at 1-844-244-7871. We may be able to give you free legal assistance.
For past disasters, more people got SNAP because of special rules (called Disaster SNAP). People had to apply for the Disaster SNAP at big special events. Disaster SNAP is not in place for the Covid crisis. Instead most normal SNAP rules (except for asset limits) apply. But more people will qualify because so many have lost their jobs.
Keep the following in mind in deciding whether to apply for SNAP, as you may be deemed ineligible if you do not meet these and other requirements.
You have to live in Louisiana to get SNAP in Louisiana.
All household members must provide or apply for Social Security numbers for each member who will be certified.
*If in your home, spouses, their adult children under age 22, and any children under age 18 under a household member’s control have to be as counted as eating with you even if they are not.
Bank account, cash, certificate of deposit (CDs), stocks, bonds, property and almost all types of assets are counted. Not counted:
Some other types of resources are exempt. If you have an unusual resource, we may be able to help. To apply, call the Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Covid-19 Legal Hotline at 1-844-244-7871.
Only citizens and certain “qualified aliens” are eligible for SNAP. If only some members of a household are citizens, an application must only list them.
To qualify for SNAP, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) typically must have Green Card status for 5 years unless:
Adult immigrants who would otherwise be ineligible may be able to get SNAP on behalf of eligible household members, such as children who are U.S. citizens. Only the children are to be included on the application.
Undocumented individuals should not apply for SNAP.
Updated 10/7/2020
[AN UPDATED FLOWCHART WILL BE ADDED SOON]
If you are eligible to use the non-filer portal, the deadline to claim your stimulus payment has been extended until November 21, 2020. The non-filer portal is designed for people with incomes typically below $24,400 for married couples, and $12,200 for singles who could not be claimed as a dependent by someone else.
1. DO NOT USE NONFILER PORTAL IF YOU FILED TAXES IN 2018 OR 2019. This may cause problems with the IRS and may delay your check.
2. AVOID SCAMS: There are many scammers out there trying to take people’s Stimulus checks. Some people may phone you, promising your Stimulus check, trying to get your bank account or debit card information or other things they can use to steal your money. Government agencies will never call you about the Stimulus checks. Never give bank, debit card, or Social Security information to anyone who calls you.
3. DO NOT PUT THE MONEY INTO A BANK ACCOUNT
THAT HAS A GARNISHMENT ORDER AGAINST IT. After a court judgment that someone owes a debt, the court can order the money can be taken from the debtor’s bank account. SSI money cannot be taken even if there is an order like this. But the stimulus money can be taken. Be sure not to give the IRS deposit information for an account of yours or someone else’s that is being “garnished.” If your account is garnished, you may want to wait much longer to get a paper check.
4. Some SSDI beneficiaries may need to file taxes; in limited circumstances they are considered taxable.
DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO HELP YOU GET THE STIMULUS CHECK. This could take most of your money (or even all of it). As noted above, there are free ways to do what you need on the IRS website, and a free organization to help.
A new phone number was created for Economic Impact Payments. Taxpayers can call 800-919-9835, between the hours of 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM local time, with questions related to the payment. Taxpayers may also refer to www.irs.gov/coronavirus tax relief and economic impact payments for additional information.
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm whose mission is to achieve justice for low-income people in Louisiana by enforcing and defending their legal rights through civil legal aid, advocacy, and community education. We provide free legal help to low-income people in a variety of civil legal matters including divorce, custody, tax, consumer, foreclosure, bankruptcy, unemployment benefits, housing, public benefits, and more.
You can find more information at slls.org.
No. While DSNAP was provided after previous federal disaster declarations, it has not been provided for this one. Instead changes have been made to regular SNAP.
The Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) offices are closed to the public but workers are still working and processing applications. You cannot apply in person.
There are still two ways you can apply:
Submit any proof that you have on hand with your application. If you do not have a copier, you can take pictures of your documents on your phone and upload the pictures to your application. (more information on this below)
But if you do not have some, or even all, of the proof, file your application without it. The amount of money you get is based on your application date. So do not wait to file.
DCFS Economic Stability
P.O. Box 260031
Baton Rouge, LA 70826
Or, fax it to (225) 663-3164.
If you cannot submit your application online for some reason and cannot download a paper application, contact DCFS at 1-888-524-3578 or email them at LAHelpU.DCFS@la.gov. If you still cannot submit your application, you can call Southeast Louisiana Legal Services COVID-19 Hotline at 1-844-244-7871 to apply for free legal help.
You need to give DCFS proof that you qualify for SNAP benefits. You can get your SNAP benefits faster if you turn the proof in at the same time you turn in your application.
But, if you don’t have the proof they need or don’t have a way to send the proof with your application, you can turn in your application first and then turn in the proof later. DCFS will contact you to let you know what proof you still need and will help you figure out a way to submit it. If you cannot get the proof, ask your DCFS worker for help. By law, the worker must try to help you if you ask. Make sure you keep copies of anything that you turn in. If you cannot get to a copy machine, you can also take pictures of proof on your phone.
Identity
You must prove the identity of the person who is turning in the application. This is the most important proof for you to give DCFS. You should turn it in with your application if you can. You cannot get benefits before you prove your identity.
Here are some things you can turn in to prove your identity. You only need one:
Other Proof
Here is a list of the other things you need to prove and what things you can use to prove them.
Note that some people can start getting their benefits before they turn in all of this proof. But you will need to turn them in later to keep getting benefits.
| Social Security Number for all who will be receiving SNAP | Copy of Social Security card or
Papers received at the hospital for a newborn |
| Alien status | If not a US citizen, forms or cards from USCIS.
If someone who lives with you does not have legal residency in the US, you can choose not to include them in your SNAP application. Then you will not need to provide this information. If someone has a green card, applying for SNAP benefits is NOT a factor the government will use for deciding whether to approve a citizenship application. |
| Earned income, if you have any | Last four pay check stubs or employer statements for each person who works |
| Self-Employment, if you have any | Income tax returns, sales records, quarterly tax records, personal wage record |
| Other income, if you have any: This could include child support, alimony, Social Security, SSI, VA, retirement checks, Unemployment Compensation | Award letters
Court orders Statements from contributors |
| Proof income stopped within the last 3 months | Pink slip
Termination notice Statement from former employer Statement from any source of income saying that the income has ended |
| Medical expenses | Receipts
Pharmacy printouts from the last 3 months Doctor bills |
| Child support payments to someone outside your home | Court order or other legal papers and proof that you are making payments – like cancelled checks or wage withholding statements |
You can also find information about EBT cards at https://louisianalawhelp.org/resource/food-stamps-the-electronic-benefits-card?ref=9dubk
Tips for getting SNAP benefits quickly
Because of COVID-19, DCFS has received a large number of applications for benefits recently. So, there are delays for getting applications approved. However, by law, your food stamp application by law must be decided in 30 days, unless you have not turned in the needed proof.
Most likely. Many of the people in Louisiana who receive SNAP benefits have to register for work. If you cannot work because you have physical or mental conditions that make you unfit for work, you should let your DCFS caseworker know.
While you are waiting for DCFS to approve your SNAP application, you might be able to get food from a food pantry and other programs in our community. Read https://slls.org/food/ for more information.
It depends. The amount you get is usually based on your household size, your income, and expenses. If you receive benefits for the month of April or May, you will get the full amount for your household size without any deductions. See https://slls.org/march-and-april-food-stamps-snap-benefit-increase/ for more information.
You have a right to appeal DCFS’s decision. You can request a SNAP fair hearing by phone or in writing to your caseworker. Include your Name and Case/CAFÉ number (or SSN if case number is unknown) on your document.
DCFS Economic Stability
P.O. Box 260031
Baton Rouge, LA 70826
By Fax: 225-663-3164
If DCFS denies your application, reduces, or cuts off your benefits and you disagree with DCFS’s decision, you can call Southeast Louisiana Legal Services COVID-19 Hotline at 1-844-244-7871 to apply for free legal help.
You can find more information about Louisiana SNAP at http://www.dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/snap#rights
For more information about DCFS’s response to COVID-19, visit http://www.dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/snap-covid19-response-faqs.