Additional aid available
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The Food Stamp Program is undergoing some changes. This means if you weren’t eligible for food stamps before, you may be now! When your eligibility for food stamps is determined, it’s done in a way that is similar to filling out an income tax form. There is a budget into which your income and expense amounts are entered. Based on the information you provide, the amounts are calculated for your income, your expenses, and whatever deductions you may be eligible for, and then entered into the budget. Some items may be entered just as they are, while others, based on a variety of criteria, may be entered as a predetermined fixed amount or as a percentage of the actual amount. Various formulas are applied to the information you provide to determine things such as monthly income, shelter expenses, and a monthly allowance for groceries. Most people are not going to know what these formulas and predetermined amounts are, which is why, if you are wondering if you might be eligible for food stamps, your best bet would be to call the Nutrition Outreach & Education Program (NOEP) at Catholic Charities of Herkimer County, at 315-894-9917. The NOEP has access to this information and can let you know before you even fill out the application, whether or not it looks like you may be eligible for food stamps. Take the first step – call your local NOEP coordinator. As well as a free pre-screening to let you know whether or not it looks like you may be eligible for food stamps, if you would like, the NOEP coordinator can also provide you with an application and with assistance with the rest of the application process. Don’t wait a moment longer; call your NOEP today at (315) 894-9917, ext. 235. Ruth Hall
Ms. Hall is a Nutrition Outreach & Education Program Coordinator with Catholic Charities of Herkimer County.
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