NAP increases eligibility limits

Since Oct. 1, 2019, the local food stamp program, operated by the Nutrition Assistance Program office, has increased its income eligibility standards.

Commonly referred to as “income guidelines” or “income brackets,” the income eligibility standards are the gross monthly income thresholds used by NAP in determining if a household is eligible for food stamp assistance.

The income eligibility standards are the approved guideline used to compare against a household’s gross monthly income from any source such as wages, social security pensions, retirement pensions, rental income, monetary contribution, child support payments, etc., and whether such income does not exceed the income limits for eligibility.

The income determination is based on gross—not net—income, which means the amount sought for eligibility is the amount before taxes and other deductions.

Below is the income eligibility standards for fiscal year 2020:

NAP also determines eligibility from two criteria, which are the resources eligibility standards and the citizenship/alien status requirement. Normally, these two criteria have to be met in order to qualify for nutrition assistance.

Participants shall be verified to be one of the following to meet the citizenship or alien status requirement: U. S. citizen; U.S. national; an alien granted asylum under section 208 of the Immigration and Nationality Act; a refugee who is admitted to the United States under section 207; certain aliens whose deportation is being withheld; and lawfully admitted for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act, provided five years elapsed since the aliens’ entry into the United States.

Applicant households must not exceed the resources eligibility standards below, which applies to only “accessible” or “readily negotiable” liquid assets at the banks such as savings, checking accounts, time certificates of deposits, savings bonds, other negotiable instruments, and cash on hand.

Below is the maximum monthly benefit allotment for fiscal year 2020:

To apply for NAP assistance, the head of the household or the authorized representative must pick up and submit a completed application for nutrition assistance at the NAP office on the ground floor of the JTV building in As Lito. You must also submit a copy of your birth certificate or valid passport, social security number and, if applicable, three current pay stubs and bank statement for each member that will be listed in the application for verification.

For more information, contact the NAP office at 237-2842 or 237-2843.