Function

• The Food Stamp program is designed to help families that are low-income or struggling financially to provide nutritious food for their families in a time of need when they cannot do so for themselves.
  
  

Significance

• If a family has had a loss of income or something changes in the family's situation that would affect their finances they can apply within their state's county to receive either the Emergency Food Stamp program or to see if they qualify for Food Stamps. This program helps out tremendously with feeding people in a time of need.
  
  

History

• The Roosevelt Administration began receiving aid in purchasing food for families during times of financial distress in 1937. This became known as the Federal Food Stamp Program as is today. The first Food Stamps were paper to be transferred for the food. At this time these food stamps helped over 20 million people until 1943 when it had stopped. Food stamps were reissued in 1961 when Kennedy felt a need to bring the program back into place. This is what still exists today, though EBT cards, similar to credit or debit card instead of paper.
  
  

Identification

• Families need to go to their county and fill out an application to see if the qualify for the Food Stamp Program. They base eligibility on if the income is 130 percent of the federal guidelines or 100 percent after allowable expenses are taken out of the gross income. Also the Family may not exceed $2000 in resources such as checking or savings. Once that information is considered, the state determines the amount of Food Stamps that would help out the family.
  
  

Time Frame

• Once you have submitted the Food Stamp forms, a caseworker is assigned and reviews the application. The state has 30 days of the date of application to review your verifications and to determine whether you are eligible. If you do receive food stamps you will be reviewed every 6 to 12 months unless your income changes.