I Really Cant Afford To Repay Is There Anything I Can Do
Yes.
You can ask for a compromise from DHHS. A compromise reduces the amount you owe, but youd have to make monthly payments on the overpayment.
You can only ask for a compromise if your circumstances have changed since DHHS first determined you had an overpayment. For example, if youve lost a job or reduced your hours, or if your household expenses have changed since you first got notice of the overpayment, you can ask for a compromise. You can only get one compromise for every overpayment.
You have to meet two rules to get a compromise.
Report Reductions In Income Right Away
I personally know a family who had their income reduced by more than half and yet refused to inform the food stamps office. This family suffered for months until their re-certification, when they were awarded significantly more food stamps.
Dont make that mistake! When you experience an income change, be sure to report it right away.
The Law Establishes A Maximum Food Stamps Allotment
However, youll never receive more than the legal maximum allotment for food stamps. This amount is determined by law but varies by year.
This is the maximum monthly benefit table for 2018 for the contiguous 48 states. There are different income limits for people who live in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Virgin Islands.
| Household Size | |
| Each Additional Person | $144 |
As you can see, the estimated average monthly benefit is usually much smaller than the maximum monthly benefit. As the household size increases, the gap between the average and maximum only gets bigger!
Of course, this is largely because of income. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program expects families to contribute 30% of their net income on food. Only families with no income whatsoever will receive the maximum monthly benefit.
Read Also: When Will I Receive My Food Stamps
Where Can I Sign Up
- Online using Health-e-Arizona. Health-e-Arizona lets you apply for other programs like Nutrition Assistance or TANF Cash Assistance at the same time.
- Online using Healthcare.gov, an online one-stop shop where you can learn about your public and private coverage options.
- Using a paper application and faxing or mailing it in to your local DES/Family Assistance Administration office.
Note: If you get Supplemental Security Income or used to and now are on SSI 1619, you automatically get AHCCCS coverage. You do not need to apply for AHCCCS.
Im An Immigrant Can I Get Ahcccs
- Undocumented immigrants do not qualify for full AHCCCS coverage, but they may qualify for AHCCCS coverage for emergency services.
- Most immigrants who have been legal residents for less than 5 years do not qualify for full AHCCCS coverage. However, they may qualify to get private coverage subsidized by the government.
- Immigrants who have been legal residents for 5 years or longer and some other noncitizens who meet specific noncitizen requirements qualify for all of the same programs that citizens can get.
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Snap Resources And Income Limits
SNAP benefits require households to meet tests that measure resources and income. Some of these changed temporarily or were waived during the coronavirus pandemic, so check with your state to make sure what the current standards are. For the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia, the requirements are:
Who Is Prohibited From Receiving Snap Benefits
Some individuals are prohibited from receiving SNAP benefits. These reasons include:
- Disqualified for failure to comply with work requirements
- Disqualified for an Intentional Program Violation by intentionally making false statements, withholding information or committing an act that violates the Food and Nutrition Act, SNAP regulations or state law for the purpose of using, acquiring, presenting, transferring, receiving, possessing, or trafficking of SNAP benefits or authorization cards used as part of an automated benefit delivery system
- Disqualified for failure to provide a Social Security number
- Ineligible non-citizens who do not meet non-citizen requirements.
- Ineligible because of a drug-related conviction after August 22, 1996
- Fleeing felons
- Residents of institutions
- Students attending an institution of higher education at least half time, unless they meet certain exceptions
- An ineligible ABAWD due to time limits OR
- Disqualified due to failure without good cause to cooperate with TANF work requirements.
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What Kinds Of Medical Related Expenses Can I Claim
Basic Care costs |
If you pay directly for any medical, dental care, mental health, physical therapy, hospital based care, home health and nursing care… or if you pay any insurance premiums, co-payments or deductibles. |
Alternative Care |
If you pay for acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy or herbal treatments prescribed by a licensed practitioner. |
Health Care Supplies and Equipment |
If you buy special creams, ointments, pain magnets, incontinence supplies, commodes or other supplies and/or equipment recommended by your licensed health practitioner. |
Over-the-counter drugs |
If you buy pain relievers, insulin, antacids, vitamins, allergy pills, or other remedies recommended by your health practitioner. |
Mileage at 56 cents/mile or the cost of public transport |
If you drive your car to appointments or to pick up drugs or medical supplies at the pharmacy, you can claim 56 cents per mile driven — or what you pay for a taxi, bus, subway or train. |
Housekeeper and caregiver expenses |
If you need a housekeeper or care attendant to care for you because of your age or disability. |
Vision or hearing care communication devices, other one-time expenses |
If you buy eyeglasses, contacts, hearing aides, speech or communication equipment, or have monthly usage fees, or if you pay emergency medical care not covered by insurance. |
Legally Owed Child Support Payments
This reduction in child support you are legally obliged to pay for children who do not live in your household, which is not counted under the gross income test and thus a deduction in figuring out your net income.
Your payments for child support is only not countable if you have an administrative order, court order, or any other enforceable legal separation contract of agreement that states that you must pay this amount of money.
If you pass the gross income test, in addition to paying the child support from your earned income, the amount you have compensated will be added back into the sum of your earnings for an increase in your allowed 20% income.
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Isnt Ahcccs Just For People With Disabilities
No. AHCCCS is available to many people. To get AHCCCS, most people must:
- Be under 65 years old
- You can be 65 or older if you are the parent or caretaker of a child
There are additional ways to get AHCCCS if you have a disability or are a senior. When you apply for AHCCCS, the person reviewing your application will figure out which type of AHCCCS is best for you.
Note: Some people who do not qualify for most AHCCCS benefits, such as undocumented immigrants, may qualify for coverage in emergencies only.
Is There A Work Requirement
Yes, two of them.
First, if youre between the ages of 16 and 59, youre supposed to enroll in relevant state training programs, accept suitable offers of employment and not quit voluntarily or choose to work less than 30 hours per week. But there are exceptions, including for people caring for children under 6 years old or incapacitated adults, and those who have a physical or mental limitation or are participating regularly in a drug or alcohol treatment program.
Theres another set of rules for people between the ages of 18 and 49 who are both able bodied and have no dependents, including working or participating in a work program at least 80 hours per month. You can read more about them on the Department of Agricultures website.
Waivers sometimes apply to work rules as well, which is why its important to apply for SNAP if youre not sure how your own work situation applies, instead of just assuming that youre ineligible.
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Other Types Of Benefits And Programs For The Unemployed
Educational Help
Federal agencies offer many unemployment education and training programs. They are generally free or low cost to the unemployed.
Self-Employment Help
Self-employment assistance programs help unemployed workers start their own small businesses. Delaware, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, and Oregon offer this program.
How Do I Claim Medical Expenses
You can claim medical expenses on your application, or contact your DTA worker at any time. Keep copies of bills you pay and appointment letters. Appointment letters show the dates you travel. Sometimes your pharmacy can print out your receipts. Give these proofs to your DTA worker. For more information on medical expenses for SNAP, see our Know Your Rights flier.
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What Are The Asset Limits
If you have been declined qualification for SNAP benefits due to having too many resources, and you now have less, you can reapply for SNAP benefits at any time.
You may be able to receive food stamps if your household assets are below the limit. In a majority of states, households may have an asset limit of $2,250, or $3,250 if at least one household member is disabled or age 60 or older.
However, according to USDA, resources such as home lots, assets of people who receive Supplemental Security Income , the resources of people who receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families , and most retirement plans are not counted towards your asset limits.
Many individuals who are lawfully entitled to food stamps benefits feel uneasy or uncomfortable about accepting the benefits because of the financial connotations associated with them. Yet there truly is nothing to be shameful about receiving some aid when you need it. The SNAP policies are strict enough to ensure that only individuals who genuinely need it will receive the benefits.
Call us now on to learn more about the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program . Or Enroll Now!
Who Can Be Included In My Snap Case
- A SNAP household may consist of an individual or a group of individuals who purchase food and prepare meals together.
- Each eligible SNAP household member must be a United States citizen or meet non-citizen requirements.
- A non-citizen is required to provide their United States Citizenship and Immigration Services documentation and the Agency must verify the validity of the provided documents through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program. The SAVE Program is a service that helps federal, state, and local benefit-issuing agencies, institutions, and licensing agencies determine the immigration status of benefit applicants so only those entitled to benefits receive them.
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In Addition To The Income Guidelines What Else Changed On October 1 2021
At the beginning of every federal fiscal year, the United States Department of Agricultures Food and Nutrition Service adjusts maximum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, deductions and income eligibility standards. These adjustments are known as the SNAP Cost of Living Adjustment .
The SNAP COLA is based on changes in the cost of living and takes effect on October 1st of each year. Please read the following to learn about all the changes, some already reflected on this page as well as additional elements of the COLA, that became effective on .
What Bills Will Be Counted And Effect Your Food Stamp Benefits
*** Want to learn how a family member can take care of you at home and get paid?
The majority of all individuals and families who meet the income requirement are qualified for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program .
Yet the amount of your household SNAP benefit is based upon your income along with certain expenses. There may also be certain deductions that you may be eligible for when determining your household income and food stamp benefits.
In this article we are going to break down everything you need to know about the qualifying for SNAP as well as what bills will effect you benefits.
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Can I Get Food Stamps If I Dont Pay Rent
Calculating the value of your food stamps is complex. But if you don’t pay rent and wonder if you are eligible for food stamps benefits, it all depends on the situation and circumstance around why you don’t pay rent. There are a variety of reasons as to why someone who does not pay rent may need SNAP benefits. This may include homeless individuals, college students, or those who live with friends or family.
So if you don’t pay rent, do you qualify for food stamps benefits? In most cases, you can. Although there are a few exclusions, and that you probably will not receive as much benefit as those who do pay for rent, for the most part, you can receive food stamps even if you do not pay for rent.
However, there are certain circumstances sometimes where you wonât be able to receive SNAP benefits if you do not pay rent. This is because there are housing situations where it will make you unqualified for food stamps either if you pay for rent or not. It is important to make note of these situations.
According to USDA, some individuals who are not eligible for food stamps if they donât pay rent includes:
â Young adults living with their parents do not qualify
If you are a young adult who resides with your parentâs home, you usually will not be eligible for food stamps benefits since you are usually required to be included as part of your parentâs household food stamp.
â Borders are considered an exception and are not eligible for benefits
