QUESTION RE: FOOD STAMPS IN NEW JERSEY

If you don't have ANY income and are getting money from family to pay rent and utilities, can you still qualify for food stamps and not have to involve the family giving money?

I may have to apply for food stamps - don't think my mother-in-law can afford to buy us food any longer - even though she is not saying it outright.

Hi Kman ~ when I applied for FS, I listed on the application that rent & utilities were paid by my adult daughter (true) and that we cook our meals separately. For 1 adult the govt provides $200 & not sure of amt for married couple, both no income. The app is about 7 or 8 pages. You would put zero for paying rent/utilities then in section that asks other help you would put in-law.

File quickly. It takes about a month to process. At least it did for me when my UI stopped. In CT, I had to go into the Social Services office to do it but other forum members have applied online and gotten benefits quicker.

Let us know how it goes!

God bless...

We had to prove we have no income. Bring proof. Call social services and make an app to apply for General Assistance, and bring the documents that they advise. They will ask you how you're surviving since you have no income. You could tell them that your mother in law helped you in the past, but not in the now.
Good luick~

thanks for the info. I will complete the application - I believe in NJ there is an on-line app that I can complete and submit.

Fallen - how did you prove no income?

kman wrote:thanks for the info. I will complete the application - I believe in NJ there is an on-line app that I can complete and submit.

Fallen - how did you prove no income?

We brought in my hub's last unemployment check stub with the final note saying no tier 5.

FallenFeyinJersey wrote:

kman wrote:thanks for the info. I will complete the application - I believe in NJ there is an on-line app that I can complete and submit.

Fallen - how did you prove no income?

We brought in my hub's last unemployment check stub with the final note saying no tier 5.

Thanks again for the info.

They may ask for checking acct stmts too. It was last April that I applied so I don't remember the full bailiwick. They'll give you a list of documentation they need.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

kman wrote:

FallenFeyinJersey wrote:

kman wrote:thanks for the info. I will complete the application - I believe in NJ there is an on-line app that I can complete and submit.

Fallen - how did you prove no income?

We brought in my hub's last unemployment check stub with the final note saying no tier 5.

Thanks again for the info.

You're very welcome, and good luck

I received a letter today advising my appointment is on March 2nd to review my on-line application for food stamps - I completed the section for an emergency - that I need FS in 7 days. I guess that is why I got an appointment this soon.

The form letter (date filled in) indicated a time of 8:30 am - does everyone reporting that day get the same time (the time was part of the form and not filled in like the date was)? I get the feeling that I will be in some big room with other people waiting to be called - take a number please. I know, I am at their mercy. I want to say to them that I already feel like a loser because I have to get FS, pleae don't make me feel worse. I'll keep these feelings to myself.

One of the things they ask for, on their list sent to me with the letter, is proof of money contribution. How the he** do I prove that, we got cash. I would think that my rent receipt showing that the rent is paid would be sufficient. Do you think my money order receipts paying utlities would be good enough for them too?

Are they going to ask for my mother-in-law's and aunt's names? I put on the application that they paid our rent and utilities.

kman wrote:thanks for the info. I will complete the application - I believe in NJ there is an on-line app that I can complete and submit.

Fallen - how did you prove no income?

Kman, Hi. Sorry this is happening to you as well. I am in NJ and have Families First.

Here is what to do.

1. Fill out online app. You will get a letter in about 1 week. They will set up an appt for you.

2. Type up a letter from your mother/mother-in-law stating she is paying the rent and utilities as you have no income. You cook and prepare your meals seperately. If you are married and both have no income, list all that info as well. It should state that she is not charging you, but does not pay for your food or gas, medical/medications etc.

3. Sadly, you will be given an appt time to have your first meeting. They will approve you for emergency Food Stamps right away. They will send you a notice to come to the office again, you watch a short video, get the card and a photo id. They will give you a list of the places you can purchase food and what is covered.

When you have your meeting, let the couselor know you need to apply for medicaid part G, at least you and your family can see Dr. Dentist and eye Dr. with no charge. The clinics are clean, I don't know that they are the best in the world, but, clean. If you need specialists or oral surgery, expect to travel. Only one oral surgeon in NJ, Manahawkin. Women's health issues are covered at a few clinics and South Jersey Radiology covers xrays, mammograms, ultra sounds etc. I have a thyroid problem and found a great endochronologist, so that was good. Make sure you really impress upon them that you need MEDICAID PART G, that you have no other coverage. They will also set you up with about $120 per person for the month for medication. You will also have to buy your cleaning products and personal hygiene products with this as food stamps does not cover soap, shampoo, TP, Paper towels, dishsoap etc. Now, go figure, you can buy a case of Diet Pepsi, but not TP or shampoo, deoderant or toothpaste with your food stamps. It comes on a debit card (first of the month is cash, 3rd-5th of the month is food stamps. You can use it anywhere that takes it, it's easy.

All told, it takes about 10 days to 2 weeks, so prepare for that. It's not easy to go to the center and wait. It hits hard and worse, you can really see how many are suffering.
I had a great counselor. They initially approve you for 30 days and then you go back and are interviewed and then they send you a letter when you have to return again.

As far as the no income, take your unemployment debit card with you, take your license, and print out your statement of benefits from unemployment. It will indicate that you have a $0 balance. I also called unemployment office and spoke to a counselor, explained I needed to go on State Aid and needed a letter that states I have no more unemployment coming and they sent it out in about two days. They will not email it.

It's sounds like alot, but it went pretty well. The worst part is waiting for the counselors at the center. One day I waited 2 hrs. The second and third time it was better.

Hope this helps. But please, take advantage of this.

You will be sitting in a big room and waiting. Sorry, that is the sad part but they are overwhelmed. You walk in and register, then take a seat and they will call you. If you can get all your letters and a name and phone # at the UE office along with your statement you may only have to go back twice instead of three times.

Also, if you are both not working, you should both go. Bring your social security cards if you have them. I brought my ss, license, birth certificate, letter from Rich saying he let me live there.

I hope I am not being personal, but are you living with your Mom or is she paying your rent elsewhere? If that's the case, you can qualify for some energy assistance as well. They are really good at walking you through everything.

Tomorrow's the day for my appointment - I expect to be there waiting for at least the morning! Not looking forward to this at all.