The phrase "food stamps" is actually a misnomer: in Massachusetts the program is called SNAP, and they issue a debit card with a balance that replenishes each month. Before you apply you should gather the necessary documentation. Everyone applying in your household will need the following items:
* A copy of your lease showing how much you pay in rent
* Your driver's license/state ID (you do not need to be a MA resident)
* An additional form of identification, such as a birth certificate or passport
* Copies of your most recent gas, electric and phone/cable bills (the dollar amounts do not matter, nor do they need to be in your name if you live with roommates)
* A signed letter from City Year verifying your employment and income or two pay stubs.
* Social Security Card (just in case)
Once you have proper documentation, you and everyone in your household can either trek down to your local Department of Transitional Assistance office or apply online or via mail. Applying from home is convenient, but I've been told it takes longer to process your benefits. An office visit takes two to three hours, but you can get your benefits sooner and (usually) your card on the same day. Since requesting a day off from City Year is about as fun as applying for food stamps, I recommend going to the DTA office before your first official day as a Corps Member.
My three roomies and I went to the office at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue on August 24th. Like the doctor's office, you fill out a form and wait in a room until your name is called. After about thirty to forty-five minutes you are called back to meet your friendly neighborhood case worker. You will hand her your documentation, and she will give you forms to fill out in return. She may also ask some off-the-wall questions about your income and living situation. I told her I was in City Year, in hope to speed things along, but to no avail. After about 45 minutes I went to the machine to get my card and returned to the lobby to wait for my roommates.
Even though we were all City Year Corps Members who made the same income and paid the exact same bills, my roommates and I all walked out with different benefits. This is because the application process is dictated entirely by your caseworker. For instance, I was asked for my passport, but one of my roommates was not. One roommate and I had to sign a form stating that we lived together, (our case workers were in adjacent cubicles) yet our other roommates did not. One of us did not get his card that day because his worker did not finish processing him before the 3:45 shutdown time for the card machine. Yes, 3:45, even though the office stays open until 5:00.
Once you are processed, you receive a letter in the mail which describes your benefits and what you need to do to keep them. One of my roommates got a year's worth, which is more than she needs to finish her ten months of service. She thinks it's because she's Hispanic, like her case worker. The next luckiest roommate got six months, and the next about 60 days. My benefits expire October 2nd unless I "provide the Department with all requested verifications." I called my caseworker multiple times to determine the nature of these "verifications" but have not yet received a response. On the plus side, I did get emergency food stamps, so my first card balance was $266.
All in all, applying for food stamps in the great state of Massachusetts is like navigating a labyrinth, running an obstacle course, filing your taxes and shooting craps all at once. I guess I shouldn't complain, because it is free food money. However, it would be nice if the process was a little more consistent.
Reese
