Qualifying for foodstamps

[Cream Soda]

I know they go based on income, but whose income do they base it on? My uncle owns the house, but I am the only person who lives in it. He took some job overseas, so he's not even in the country.

That being said, he pays for his mortgage but that's it. So, if I were to apply for foodstamps, would they go based off of my income or would he have to be included (since he's not even living there).

if they go off of me alone, I can get it for sure, but if they go based off of his income, no chance in hell.

[Souj]

Sell his house.

[Omnipotent]

Your life sucks.

[izembo]

are you under 18?

[Cream Soda]

Negative

[Kohan]

I know they go based on income, but whose income do they base it on? My uncle owns the house, but I am the only person who lives in it. He took some job overseas, so he's not even in the country.

That being said, he pays for his mortgage but that's it. So, if I were to apply for foodstamps, would they go based off of my income or would he have to be included (since he's not even living there).

if they go off of me alone, I can get it for sure, but if they go based off of his income, no chance in hell.

If you can contact your uncle currently, and have him mail you letters, you'll be able to manage this.

Simply put, you want to draft a letter where your uncle states that they accept a certain amount of rent from you on a monthly basis. You do not want the letter to imply that they care for you or otherwise finance you in any way. Basically, you need to make it seem like you're contributing to the household with your income, and they must receive verification from him. This verification doesn't need to include anything about their income. The whole application should be all about you.

If you pitch yourself as an individual living under someone else's roof who has to use all of their funds to pay for their survival, you should be fine. You'll need to work at least forty hours a month (and have your employer vouch that you do so) to avoid being called in for public service, however.

Additionally, you will have to provide the office with pay stubs every month. They'll only send notices once in a while, but it's better to be ahead of them. I recommend preparing them, going to the local office, and handing them to the desk in person so you receive a signed and stamped receipt. Much better than mailing them, especially since you can prove you turned in the appropriate paperwork.

On a quarterly basis, they will ask you to fill out a form regarding any changes. If nothing has changed, just fill it out the same way as before. Also, although it asks you to estimate how much money you'll make in the future, don't guess. If you don't know for sure, just put "N/A" and continue dropping off copies of pay stubs (with your case number). Despite what the form says, they will reject it if you estimate information you can't immediately verify after turning it in.

I could probably answer any of your other questions over PMs.

[Rhinox]

Holy shit dude.

Seriously just change your title to

"Look at me, I'm a black guy"

[Cream Soda]

Well, I'm a full time student, so I don't have a paycheck/stub job which is the problem. I just do some side work on the weekends when I need to buy some food and run on that until it runs dry and repeat.

[Headspace]

This thread is the least surprising thing I've ever read.

[richardd]

if you dont get a paycheck, than dont tell them you work man

[BerenTebogo]

This thread is the least surprising thing I've ever read.

^

[Cream Soda]

Gonna be hard to keep my uncle out of it w/o a source of income though is my main problem.

[Heavencloud]

Well, I'm a full time student, so I don't have a paycheck/stub job which is the problem. I just do some side work on the weekends when I need to buy some food and run on that until it runs dry and repeat.

"side work" = selling drugs ??

But seriously, what Kohan said was right. I don't think you even have to be working since you're a student, but it probably varies state by state.

[Kohan]

Well, I'm a full time student, so I don't have a paycheck/stub job which is the problem. I just do some side work on the weekends when I need to buy some food and run on that until it runs dry and repeat.

You'll still need the employer to vouch for you. If you don't receive pay stubs, and everything is under the table, have them write a letter stating how much you're paid on a weekly basis. They don't need to say it's in cash, they simply need to mention how much it is, and explain that you work roughly forty hours a month. All of that must be within the letter itself, and they must sign it. It must also include contact information so the office can verify it.

You should bring all of these things with you when you schedule an appointment to meet with a case worker. Be ready to sit in an office waiting and talking for eight hours or more, and to possibly be forced to return on another day to continue, even though you made an appointment. Turn in everything you have, and ask questions. If you can't be approved immediately, they will tell you what you need, and you can bring it in and drop it off later.

[Cream Soda]

side work more alongs the line of grabbing my lawn mower and looking for houses w/ tall grass, don't have an employer :/

[Kohan]

side work more alongs the line of grabbing my lawn mower and looking for houses w/ tall grass, don't have an employer :/

In that case, they're going to want to put you to work. Also, being a student likely will do nothing for your case. If you receive any form of government aid, it can actually disqualify you.

The only thing you can do now is prepare the aforementioned letter regarding your living situation and make an appointment with a case worker.

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/...odstamps.shtml

[Cream Soda]

Based on that, I'm ineligible

[Kohan]

Based on that, I'm ineligible

Are you including your uncle's income in your evaluation? If you are, don't. Just think of yourself.

[Mojo]

Honestly, I don't think you're going to have much luck. You don't work enough to be eligible and the student status is going to work against you.

[Kohan]

Honestly, I don't think you're going to have much luck. You don't work enough to be eligible and the student status is going to work against you.

Depending on the state, they'll have you perform public services if you don't work enough on your own, and your reward will be a continued supply of food stamps. Being a student should only be a problem if he receives some other form of government aid, like grants.

As an aside, I personally believe the latter is total bullshit, as a poor student trying to make something of themselves needs to cover more than mere living expenses. I believe many people would feel better knowing that their tax dollars were going to someone struggling to make themselves into a contributing member of society. Alas, it is what it is, unfortunately.