Food and Nutrition Service
Southwest Regional Office
Objections to Applying for SNAP Heard by Outreach Workers
and
Tips for Overcoming them
General:
People want to be able to make it on their own
· SNAP is designed for people who are trying to make it on their own. SNAP benefits provide a supplement which prevents families from getting too far behind in other ways.
· SNAP benefits enables families to eat healthy foods which helps reduce illness thus preventing missed work or school.
· Applying for SNAP benefits actually helps the community in two ways.
o Every $5 in SNAP benefits generates $9.20 in economic activity.
o Lessens the strain placed on emergency food providers and the people who donate to food banks
Belief that they are over income
· Show SNAP brochure with income guidelines.
· Explain that household expenses can make a difference.
· A household of four with two working adults, who earn minimum wage, qualifies for SNAP.
· A single person earning minimum wage qualifies for SNAP.
· It is possible to qualify even if your income is higher, through standard deductions and or potential deductions such as some medical expenses, dependant care, shelter costs etc. Older adults may even qualify for additional deductions.
Belief that they will only receive $10.
· The 2006 average monthly household food stamp allotment in the US was $214.37. The average monthly benefit per person was $94.31. The new minimum anyone can receive is $14.
· If you qualify for SNAP, you may also qualify for other assistance such as
o reduced energy
o reduced phone rates
o Free school lunch and breakfast for your children
· Show what $14 buys
They have applied before, and were denied
· If people within the income guidelines were denied, it is probably because there was missing information or they possibly didn’t claim available deductions.
· Outreach workers help you put together a portfolio with all necessary documents so your application won’t be denied because of missing documents.
· Anyone denied nutrition benefits can request a review of the case from a supervisor. You may also request a fair hearing.
· An Office of Ombudsman was created to hear complaints and help resolve issues.
· Policies and guidelines change and that could affect eligibility.
They have applied before, and never heard back
· Outreach workers get a receipt for applications with which they assist and follow-up on them.
· Outreach workers can work with the state office to help resolves issues.
· The applicant should request a receipt for the application so it can be tracked.
· Everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. The Office of Ombudsman handles customer issues and can check on the status of applications. They can also get things back on track if necessary.
Too much information is required or required information is unavailable
· The outreach worker can help put together a portfolio of all the necessary information and make copies of it.
· If there is a letter requesting additional information, outreach workers can explain what is needed and help meet any deadline that may be set.
· If a required document, such as a letter from a previous employer, is unavailable, the case worker can help, or there may be additional forms of verifications that can be used.
Application is very confusing and too long
· Outreach workers help read and explain the application.
· They can also help complete it and deliver it to the office.
People have had bad experiences at the SNAP Office previously
· It is no longer necessary to apply at the SNAP office. Applications can be accessed
o on-line and mailed to the office
o through outreach workers who also deliver applications to the office.
· Many times misunderstandings stem from miscommunication. Applicants have the right to an authorized representative who can go with them to help them.
· The Office of Ombudsman will listen and handle any concerns or complaints you have regarding nutrition benefits.
Waiting time in the office is too long
· Applications can be accessed on-line and mailed.
· Outreach workers can now turn in your application.
· Interviews for certification can now be conducted by appointment and may be done over the phone under certain circumstances.
Belief that by applying, someone else that needs nutrition benefits more won’t get them
· Nutrition benefits are available to everyone who qualifies. No one will be denied benefits because someone else receives them.
· Only a little more than half (58%) of those eligible for SNAP benefits apply and receive them.
Hispanics:
Belief that applying for SNAP will affect their immigration status, and they may be denied legal residency. Some attorneys are telling Hispanics not to apply for any type of public assistance.
· Applying for SNAP benefits will not affect immigration status. Only pubic assistance that provides cash, such as TANF, will affect immigration status.
· Show written statement that applying will not affect immigration.
Forms are too complex and hard to understand.
· Outreach workers have been trained to fill out applications and will help them.
· Read the application to them and fill it in as they answer the questions.
· Provide constant reassurance.
· Provide a number to call if they get a letter requesting additional information or if they have any questions.
Pride and/or culture prevent them from applying. It is important to the male head of household to take care of his family.
· Point out that it is important to take care of your own family. Staying healthy is one of the best ways to do that. SNAP benefits helps families buy additional healthy foods so family members don’t get sick as often. Staying well means fewer days missed from work. Staying well also means there is less need for medicine and medical care, reducing the burden on the government Medicaid system and family budgets.
· SNAP benefits help working families keep from getting behind in other ways.
· Applying for SNAP actually helps the community in two ways.
o Every $5 in nutrition benefits generates $9.20 in economic activity.
o Lessens the strain placed on emergency food providers and the people who donate to the food banks.
Translators have not been available when they go into the office, even if they specify on the application that they need one.
· You no longer have to go to the office to apply for SNAP benefits.
· SNAP has a language line that eligibility workers can call to assist them with the interview, no matter what the language.
· Applicants can appoint an authorized representative that can go with them.
Elderly
Belief that nutrition benefits create a negative stigma.
· EBT card is discreet and used like a credit or debit card so no one knows you are receiving nutrition benefits.
Belief that they will only receive $10.
· The new minimum anyone can receive is $16 or $192 a year.
· If you are 65 or older and receive, SSI you are probably eligible for a simplified nutrition assistance program.
· If you qualify for SNAP, you may also qualify for other assistance such as reduced energy and phone.
· Show what $16 buys
· SNAP benefits don’t expire for a year, so you can accumulate them and use them when you have extra expenses. If you don’t use them, they go to a special account after 90 days, and you can make a phone call to have them reactivated.
Belief that it is a burden on the government.
· SNAP provides foods that can be used to improve diets which lead to improved health. Improved health means less medications and doctors expenses, thus reducing Medicare costs to the government.
· Applying for SNAP actually helps the community in two ways.
o Every $5 in nutrition benefits generates $9.20 in economic activity.
o Lessens the strain placed on emergency food providers and the people who donate to the food banks.
It is too much hassle
· The outreach worker’s job is to help with the process.
· You no longer have to go to the office for your interview.
· Benefits are loaded onto the EBT card automatically
Seniors often give up when they get a letter requesting additional information and they often do not understand the letter.
· Provide a number to call if they get a letter requesting additional information.
· Outreach workers can help clarify the letter and possibly help gather the documents.
Working Poor
Belief that SNAP is only for people who are not working.
· Show them the SNAP brochure with the income chart for determining eligibility. It is possible to qualify even if your income is higher, through standard deductions and or potential deductions such as some medical expenses, dependant care, shelter costs etc. Older adults may even qualify for additional deductions.
· Applying for SNAP actually helps the community in two ways.
o Every $5 in nutrition benefits generates $9.20 in economic activity.
o Lessens the strain placed on emergency food providers and the people who donate to the food banks.
· A household of four with two working adults who both earn minimum wage, qualifies for SNAP.
· A single person earning minimum wage qualifies for SNAP.
Can’t take off time to sit in the office for several hours.
· Applications can now be accessed on-line and mailed or delivered to the SNAP office by an outreach worker.
· Certification interviews are now be done by phone at an appointed time.
Created: March 25, 2009