Georgia Food Stamps Qualifications
- Your income and assets are going to be the first factors evaluated when you apply for food stamp benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The federal government sets guidelines for both gross -- before deductions -- income and net -- after deductions -- income. For example, as of 2011, the maximum gross income for a family of four is $2,389, while the net is $1,838. Your assets -- such as money in the bank, cash or property other than where you live -- are also considered.
- Deductions include housing costs, medical expenses for elderly or disabled family members, childcare and child support payments that are legally owed, according to the USDA. Any family with an elderly or disabled person needs only to meet the net income requirements, meaning even if its income falls within net income guidelines after deductions it qualifies, even if the gross income exceeds the limits.
- Because each state handles the federal funds for food stamps, you must be a resident of Georgia to apply for Georgia food stamps. Additionally, you must be a citizen or eligible non-citizen of the United States, according to the USDA. Eligible non-citizens include, but are not limited to, immigrants who have lived in the country for at least five years, children born in American of immigrants, American Indians born in Canada and immigrants who receive disability assistance, regardless of date of entry into the country.
- Households with one or more elderly or disabled members receive other special considerations, according to the USDA. While only $2,000 in assets are allowable for a young, healthy family, a family with elderly or disabled members can have up to $3,000. Allowable deductions include special expenses, such as adult care and medical expenses. Also, whereas most people aren't eligible for food stamps if their food is provided for them, elderly people living in retirement communities where food is delivered, or disabled people whose meals are prepared by a group home, still qualify.
- Typically, any adult between the ages of 18 and 50 with no dependents can't receive food stamps longer than three months in any 36-month time frame. In order to get benefits for longer, they must find work or participate in an employment activity. Georgia makes exceptions in areas where there are more job seekers than jobs, according to the Georgia Department of Human Resources. As of 2008, 74 Georgian counties had more workers than work.