Can I Get Snap If I Am A Community College Student
In Massachusetts, most low-income students attending a community college are eligible for SNAP. The SNAP rules allow community college students in certificate programs or associate degree programs to qualify. The course of study must be a career or technical education program OR a program likely to lead to employment. Most community college programs qualify.
NOTE: Low-income students must also meet the financial household composition and U.S. citizenship or legal immigration status rules of the SNAP program.
If your course of study is not career-focused or you are not a community college student, there are other special SNAP rules for low-income college students. You may qualify for SNAP if you meet any of the following:
- Get federal Work Study, and you work or expect to work during the semester
- Receive financial aid from the state MASSGrant program
- Work an average of 20 hours or more per week
- Care of a child under the age of 12, or you get TAFDC as a parent with children
- Are in school through a state-approved education or training program
- Are in college less than half-time
- Are under age 18 or are over age 49
- Have a temporary or permanent disability
How Do I Apply
You dont need to go to an office! You can apply online and receive your EBT card in the mail.
The quickest and easiest way to apply for SNAP is online at or
If you are eligible, you will be able to access your SNAP benefits no later than 30 days from the date the office received your application. If you have very little or no income for the month and you need help right away, you may qualify for SNAP benefits within seven days.
What Are My Rights If I Am Denied Snap
- Request a hearing if you disagree with DTAs decision. There is an appeal form on the back of the DTA denial notices. Fill this out and fax or mail it back to DTA. You can have the hearing by phone or in person.
- Contact your local Legal Services offices for more information: www.masslegalhelp.org.
For more information, visit masslegalservices.org/food4students.
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Free Internet For K12 Students
Many low-income internet programs focus on connecting students to valuable online resources, so they require that you have a school-age child at home or that you be an educator.
Youll also need to participate in the National School Lunch Program , the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , Temporary Assistance for Needy Families , or Public Housing .
Each provider has a unique list of qualifying programs, so check our summary below to see what theyre looking for.
What Proofs Do I Need To Give Dta
DTA will send you a list asking for proof of your identity, address, and possibly other items. DTA will also send you forms to get filled out by your college registrar or financial aid office:
- The Community College Verification Form proves you meet the community college eligibility rules
- The Educational Income and Expense Form gives DTA information about your financial aid
Read Also: Cheap Internet If You Have Food Stamps
Why Is New York Required To Implement Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents Requirements
ABAWD rules are required by the federal government. Social services districts that do not qualify for county based ABAWD waivers are required to implement ABAWD work requirements.
New York State is currently operating under a federal waiver of the ABAWD time limit in all areas of the State for the period October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2022 so no ABAWD is subject to the time limit requirement during this period.
How Can I Know If I Might Be Eligible For Snap
To find out if you may be eligible for SNAP Benefits, visit myBenefits.ny.gov and click on Am I Eligible? to use the SNAP pre-screening eligibility tool. Please note: The pre-screening tool is not an application for SNAP. The tool will look at the information you provided to see if you might be able to get help with buying food and other services. You’ll have to apply for the programs listed to get a final decision about benefits, and information will be provided to let you know how to do that. Keep in mind that you always have the right to apply for these benefits.
In New York State, the SNAP Program now allows you to have more money in a checking or savings account, or even a retirement account, without affecting your eligibility for SNAP benefits. As of January 1, 2008, most households applying for SNAP benefits no longer have to pass a savings/resource test in order to get SNAP benefits. This means having money in a savings, checking or retirement account, or having other resources, will not keep you from being eligible for SNAP benefits, as long as you meet the income guidelines.
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Who Is Not Subject To Abawd Requirements
A SNAP recipient who meets any of the following conditions is not subject to ABAWD work requirements but, in some instances may still be required to participate in work activities that are assigned under public assistance and/or SNAP employment and training:
- A person under 18 years of age, or 50 years of age or older
- An adult in a SNAP household with a child under 18 years of age
- A person responsible for the care of an incapacitated person
- A pregnant woman
- Physically or mentally unable to work at least 80 hours a month
- A regular participant in an alcohol or substance abuse rehabilitation program
- A recipient of Veterans Affairs disability compensation
- A recipient of disability benefits from a public or private source, such as Social Security Disability Insurance or NYS disability benefits
- A recipient or pending receipt of Unemployment Insurance Benefits
- A student enrolled in any recognized school, job skills training, or institution of higher education at least half-time and meeting the student eligibility criteria to receive SNAP
- An applicant for SNAP benefits and Supplemental Security Income jointly or in receipt of SSI
- Employed or self-employed and working at least 30 hours per week or receiving weekly earnings at least equal to the federal minimum wage times 30
Free Internet For College Students
Unless youre using free public Wi-Fi, free internet for college students is what we like to call a unicornbeautiful in concept, but non-existent.
That said, because of the new coronavirus pandemic, Spectrum is offering free internet to college students for 60 days. Keep in mind that you must be a new customer to qualify.
And Internet Essentials from Comcast is available for cheap to community college students in Colorado and Illinois with documentation from your financial aid office.
One last thought: if you can tough it out by tethering your smartphone, Verizon Wireless also offers a discount for college students.
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Nearly 700000 Snap Recipients Could Lose Benefits Under New Trump Rule
“As long as a student is at least half-time, they are not considered an subject to SNAP work requirements, so that new rule would not impact them,” says Kathryn Larin, director of the Education Workforce and Income Security Team at the Government Accountability Office. “The group that it would impact would be students enrolled less than half-time.”
Most college students are excluded from receiving SNAP by design, Larin says.
This is because Congress created the program with the image of a “traditional” student in mind: someone entering college directly from high school, financially reliant on their parents, with no income or dependents.
But this archetype is far from universal, says Parker Gilkesson, an analyst at the Center for Law and Social Policy who specializes in income and work supports. Only about 1 in 4 students attend a four-year institution immediately after high school.
Many college students are older or are parents themselves. And few have a financial safety net: Countless families are spending all they have just to send their children to college, let alone pay for their food and other necessities, she says.
How Do I Apply For Snap Benefits
Students are encouraged to stop by the Students Serving Our Students program office so that a mentor can help you. Learn more about the SOS program, its hours and location on the SOS webpage. You can file an application for SNAP through the Department of Transitional Assistance :
- Fax a paper application to DTA at 617-887-8765
- Mail a paper application to DTA Document Processing Center, PO Box 4406, Taunton, MA 02780
- Go in-person to a local DTA office
- If you live with other people who get SNAP, they may need to contact DTA to add you. See below.
After you apply, call the DTA Assistance Line for an interview at 1-877-382-2363. Then send DTA the proofs they ask for. DTA has 30 days to approve or deny your application unless you qualify for emergency SNAP. If you are approved, SNAP benefits are put on an EBT card .
Read Also: How Do I Apply For Food Stamps In Louisiana
What Proof Do I Need To Show If I Get Work Study Or If I Attend A Career
To prove you receive work study, give DTA a copy of your financial aid statement or any other proof of federal or state funded work study. You qualify as a work study recipient if you attend a public or a private college.
To prove you are enrolled in a career or technical education program at a community college, DTA has a one-page form that you can ask the college to sign. Or, you can submit a letter from the college that states you are enrolled and that your degree or certificate program will lead to employment. Also give DTA proof that you are enrolled in college.
If You Receive Snap Overpayments
There are three different kinds of SNAP overpayments:
If DCF claims that your household received more food stamps than you should have been given but you believe that you were not overpaid, you have the right to appeal the decision within ninety days.
If you were overpaid benefits, you are still obligated to pay back DCF for the amount of overpayment even if the overpayment was DCFs error. An accidental overpayment does not benefit your household, because it must always be paid back. If you have noticed an overpayment in your SNAP benefits that you believe to be DCFs error, notify them immediately. It cannot benefit you in the long run.
If you do not appeal or if you agree with the overpayment, DCF can do several things to collect the amount that you owe:
- If you are getting SNAP benefits now, DCF will lower your monthly benefits. The amount they will take depends on the type of overpayment you have.
- If you are not getting SNAP benefits, DCF will try to get you to agree to a repayment plan. If you do not agree, they can take your federal tax refund. In some situations, they can also take part of other benefits you get, like Social Security.
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How Do I Apply For Snap
You can file an application for SNAP on-line, by mail/fax or in-person.
- You can apply online.
- To apply in person, go to your local DTA Office. Find your local DTA office.
Note
Filing an application is the first step. You will also need to send documents to DTA to prove your eligibility and have an interview by phone or, if you prefer, in person.
To get more information about SNAP in Massachusetts, visit Project Breads website.
- If you are DTA denys you SNAP because of your school status, contact the legal services program nearest you.
Examples
Where Can I Get More Information
Columbus State is planning several virtual and in-person informational sessions in early March to help eligible students with the SNAP registration process, in partnership with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective.
For more information, go to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services website or call or visit your local county agency.
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Swipe Out Hunger Cuny Food Navigator Program
CUNY students can access the Food Navigator Portal to get help with the SNAP application and find a range of NYC food resources. CUNY student were specially enlisted and trained to support this digital initiative. Use the link above or text FOOD to 855-230-6746 and complete the form. A navigator will personally contact you.
How Can I Find Out Where To Apply For Snap
Probably, the quickest way is to apply for SNAP online at myBenefits.ny.gov or if you live in New York City. After your application is filed, the SNAP office will review your information, conduct an interview, and determine your household’s eligibility for SNAP.
You may also apply in person, by mail, or fax. To find the address and phone number of the SNAP office nearest you, call the toll-free New York State Temporary Assistance Hotline at 1-800-342-3009. By following the prompts on the automated caller response system, you can find the address and phone number of the SNAP office for where you live.
You can also choose the option to speak to an operator, and they will give you the information about the SNAP office for where you live. You may also find a listing for your county Department of Social Services in the blue pages of government office listings in your phone book. If you live in New York City, you should look for the listings of the Human Resources Administration. You may also visit the following websites: Local Departments of Social Services or New York City SNAP Centers.
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A Snapshot Of Poverty In America
” did recognize there are circumstances where students could and should be eligible for SNAP, and so they set up a number of exceptions from this prohibition against college students getting SNAP,” Larin said. “What are those exemptions, who is eligible for them, how do you meet those exemptions? That’s where the confusion comes in.”
In order for college students to be eligible for SNAP, they must first meet income and asset limits, household qualifications and immigration status requirements. Those who are enrolled less than half of the time as defined by their school can then qualify under standard SNAP rules.
Students enrolled more than half of the time may qualify for SNAP by meeting one of a number of criteria, which include being responsible for a dependent child younger than 6, working at least 20 hours a week in paid employment, receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits, participating in an on-the-job training program, being outside the 18-49 age range, and being unable to work for health reasons.
“No matter if they’re full time, part time, half time, even taking one class, are taking the initiative to really better themselves and grow and further their academic career,” Gilkesson says. “They shouldn’t be punished for not being able to find steady employment in the economy that we are in today.”
