Hurricane Katrina: Legal Issues - Columbus School of Law

Who Is Eligible To Receive Food Stamps?
In order to qualify for Mississippi's Food Stamp Program, you must be a resident of the State of Mississippi AND
your current bank balance (savings and checking accounts combined) must be under $2,001. If you share your
household with either a person age 60 or over or a person with a disability, your current bank balance (savings and
checking accounts combined) must be under $3,001. For a chart regarding income maximums for receiving food
stamps, please visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/applicant_recipients/income.htm.
There are rules on resource limits, income limits, and rules on allowable deductions from income that must be
applied to determine eligibility to receive food stamps. Furthermore, there are certain employment requirements.
These can be found at the Food and Nutrition Service/Department of Agriculture website at
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/applicant_recipients/eligibility.htm
There are also special rules for the elderly and the disabled. These rules can be found at
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/rules/Elderly_Disabled.htm.
How Do I Apply?
In order to apply for food stamps, an individual must visit the visit their local county Department of Human Services
Economic Assistance office. They will accept the application the day it is turned in, even if an interview is
unavailable at that time. After the office receives the application, a worker will hold an interview with either the
client, another member of the household, or an authorized representative of the household in order to gather
information. After verification procedures are completed, the household will be notified by mail regarding their
eligibility, the amount of the benefit, certification period and issuance procedure. If you qualify for food stamps, the
household will receive the food stamps no later than 30 days from the date which the office receives the outcome.
Please see below for information regarding expedited application process.
For a list of Mississippi counties' Department of Human Services Economic Assistance offices, visit
http://www.mdhs.state.ms.us/eadirectory1.htm.
Is There A Way To Expedite The Application Process?
Expedited food stamps are available. To be eligible for expedited food stamps, a person must have less than $150 in
gross monthly income, less than $100 in liquid resources, have a combined gross household income less than the
household's expenses. Eligible applicants must receive food stamps within seven calendar days of the application.
Through October 15, 2005, the State will certify evacuees from areas affected by Katrina under the expedited service
rule.
How Much Can I Receive?
The amount of money in food stamps depends upon income, resources and expenses as well as the size of the
household. In 2000, a single older person received, on average, $44 monthly. The maximum amounts receivable are
$139 for one person, $256 for a couple and $366 for three people.
Are There Replacement Food Stamps Available?
Following the declaration of disaster, the Secretary of Agriculture, must issue food stamps to replace food destroyed
during the disaster. Replacement food stamps are required to be at least equivalent to the amount of food lost, but
cannot be greater than the applicable monthly allotment for the household.
Louisiana residents who have lost their card and do not know their EBT card number should call 18663348304 or