Monthly food stamp allotments depend on household size, income and expenses.  The maximum food stamp allotment for a household size of two is over $250.

Yes.  Having a child in the household is not an eligibility requirement of the Food Stamp Program.  Eligibility for food stamps is based mainly on income for your household size, resources (cashable assets) and expenses.

Yes.  The Food Stamp Program is about good nutrition and health.  It is not necessary to be receiving cash benefits in order to receive food stamp benefits.

Yes.  Although there is a $2,000 resource (cashable asset) limit ($3,000 if at least one member of the household is age 60 or older), one vehicle for each adult in your household is not counted.  Additional vehicles may be exempt too.  Neither the home you are living in, nor your household furnishings count toward the resource limits.

Yes.  Eligibility for food stamps is based mainly on income for your household size, resources (cashable assets) and expenses.  Many food stamp recipients work and are still eligible to receive food stamp benefits.  In fact, 20% of working age food stamp recipients are employed.

Yes.  The Food Stamp Program offers assistance toward self-sufficiency through the Food Stamp Job Search Program.  This program can offer assistance to job-ready and non-job-ready individuals through the following activities:

• Job search workshops;
• Employment counseling;
• Job referrals;
• Job development;
• Referrals to training; and
• Referrals to supportive services.

No.  New Hampshire provides benefits on debit cards that look like any other credit or bank card.  In the check-out lane you simply separate your food from your non-food purchases and swipe your card.  Only the check-out clerk knows it’s a food stamp purchase.  Remember, there are over 35,000 New Hampshire residents receiving food stamp benefits.  You are not alone!

With your Food Stamp benefits you can buy milk and other dairy products; meat, fish, poultry, eggs and beans; cereals, rice, pasta and other grain products; any ingredient used for baking or cooking; fruits and vegetables; cold deli foods for home consumption; ice and water for human consumption; infant formula, some special dietetic or diabetic food and "natural" or "organic" food items; and garden seeds and plants for growing food at home.

With your Food Stamp benefits you can not buy any kind of beer, alcohol or wine; any type of tobacco products; nonfood items like cleaning products, soap and paper products; drugstore medicines such as aspirin, cough syrup and vitamins; items to preserve food such as jars and freezer containers; any "hot" prepared foods that are ready to eat; and foods not for people such as pet foods.

Yes.  People required to participate with you in your food stamp household include your spouse, children (and all parents of those children) and parents (if child is under 22).  Individuals you purchase and prepare food with are also included in your food stamp household. 

If you voluntarily quit your job you won’t be eligible to receive food stamps for 1 month, unless you had a good reason.  Even if you quit your job you should apply for food stamps benefits right away because your family may be eligible even if you’re not.

If you are enrolled in the Food Stamp Job Search Program you may be able to be reimbursed per mile for transportation or other necessary costs directly related to Job Search, up to a maximum of $40 per month.  Your DHHS worker or Employment Specialist from New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES) can provide you with additional information and explain what you need to do to get this reimbursement.

No.  The Application for Assistance  can be printed, completed and returned in person to a DHHS District Office.  You may also mail the completed application and copies of documents needed to verify eligibility to a District Office and a DHHS Representative will contact you to come in for an interview.  If you are 60 years old or older, or are disabled, or are experiencing some hardship, we can conduct your eligibility interview over the phone.

You may also request an application be mailed to you by calling a DHHS District Office.  District Office phone numbers are available by clicking on the Contact Info tab above.

So we can help you faster, bring any paycheck stubs, bank statements, rent receipts, mortgage payments and utility bills with you.  Documentation Required to Verify Eligibility provides additional examples of types of documentation that are usually accepted to verify eligibility.

Food stamps are issued electronically using the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) method.  EBT provides a debit-style card allowing customers to swipe the card at point of sale (POS) machines at checkout counters.  A detailed brochure provides additional information about the EBT card and how to use it.