Last page edit 04/21/08

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Food Stamps Summary (Maryland)

Name   Food Stamps
Non-Financial Eligibility Conditions   Eligibility is based on the "Household". The Household usually means everyone who lives, buys food, and prepares food together. 
Income Eligibility Conditions   There are both "gross income" and "net income" tests for eligibility.
  • Gross income includes almost all types of income coming into the household before any deductions.
  •   Net income is the gross income minus specific allowable deductions. Details are on the FNS web site.

Elder/Disabled households that include an elderly or disabled member must meet the net income test.

  • "Categorically eligible" if you receive certain types of cash benefits you do not have to meet the gross and net income tests. (Households are categorically eligible if you receive or are authorized to receive TCA, SSI, TEMHA, PAA, and families with children whose income is below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines).
  • All other households must meet both the gross income and the net income tests. 
Asset Eligibility Conditions   Countable resources no greater than $2,000; if your household includes a member who is 60 or older, your asset limit is $3,000. Maryland Department of Human Resources Food Stamp Program.

Not counted:

  • The home,
  • motor vehicles (if the fair market value is up to $4,650)
  • real property other than the home if it is listed for sale,
  • assets that are "not available," that is, cannot be sold or converted to cash.

 Details are on the FNS web site.

No asset test if your households is "categorically eligible" because you receive certain other government benefits (such as SSI) you do not have to meet the asset test.

Will these numbers change?
Benefit   The value in food stamps is based on the "household" income after specific deductions such as child care and shelter expenses, up to a maximum amount.
Household size Maximum Monthly Food Stamp Allotment
1 $162
2 $298
3 $426
4 $542
5 $643
6 $772
7 $853
8 $975
Each additional person  +$122

Will these numbers change?
Apply At   Department of Social Services.  Find your local DSS Office
Appeals

  
  • You can appeal any denial, termination, or reduction of benefits
  • Appeals must be filed in writing at the DSS office.  It is best to file it in person and to get a receipt showing that you filed the appeal.
  • Appeals must be filed within 90 days of the action, or you cannot appeal.
  • If you file within 10 days of notice that benefits are being terminated or reduced, and you ask that the benefits continue until the appeal decision is made, they will continue automatically until the decision.  If you do not want benefits to coninue until the decision, you must specifically request that they not continue.  If you do not appeal within 10 days, the termination or reduction will happen.
Source of the Funds   United States Department of Agriculture; Information is available on the Food and Nutrition Service's web site. 
You Also Would Be Eligible For    
Sources Of Law

  

Look first at the state sources of law.

Federal Law: 7 U.S.C.A. §2011 to §2036 

Federal Regulations: 7 C.F.R. Parts 271 to 295; the key Parts that set out who is eligible and how the food stamp program works are Parts 273 (eligible households) and 274 (issuance and use of coupons).

Federal Policy Materials: The federal Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) publishes policy materials covering a wide range of issues.  Generally presented in a question and answer format, the memos may be of national or regional significance.  

State Law:  Md. Ann. Code Art. ,88A, § 1a

State Law:  State Regulations: COMAR 07.03.17.00 to 07.03.17.9999 (scroll down to "Food Stamp Program" and click it to go to the list of regulations.

State Policy Materials

Other    

Food Stamp Income Limits  (For October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2008)

Household Size Gross Income Limit Net Income Limit
1 $1,107 $851
2 $1,484 $1,141
3 $1,861 $1,431
4 $2,238 $1,721
5 $2,615 $2,011
6 $2,992 $2,301
7 $3,369 $2,591
8 $3,746 $2,881
Each additional person +$377 +290

A household's first $134 per month is not counted in determining eligibility; household vehicles are not counted; there are also  medical and housing deductions.

Persons 60 and over (and their spouses) who are unable to purchase and prepare their own meals due to disability, and who live and eat with others in a household whose combined income does not exceed 165% of the poverty level, may be considered a separate household.

Will these numbers change?
Source: Maryland Legal Assistance Network (MLAN), updated by the Maryland State Law Library (MSLL).

Last legal review 04/21/08 (PLL/M.A.J.)
 
Is this legal advice? This site offers legal information, not legal advice.  We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information and to clearly explain your options.  However we do not provide legal advice - the application of the law to your individual circumstances. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.  See our section on Finding Legal Help.

About this website. The Maryland State Law Library, a court-related agency of the Maryland Judiciary, sponsors this site. The website was developed (1999-2007) as part of an access to justice initiative by the Maryland Legal Assistance Network (MLAN) in collaboration with a number of legal services providers serving low and moderate income Marylanders.  In the absence of file-specific attribution or copyright, the Maryland State Law Library may hold the copyright to parts of this website. You are free to copy the information for your own use or for other non-commercial purposes with the following language “Source: Maryland's People’s Law Library – www.peoples-law.org. © Maryland State Law Library, 2007.”

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