Food Stamp Program Overview

1. Food Stamp Program Overview Suzanne Bogert, MS, RD Project Director Network for a Healthy California Los Angeles Region Michael Greene Dietetic Intern Network for a Healthy California Los Angeles Region

2. Introduction/Agenda • Food Access, Food Insecurity & Food Assistance Programs • Food Stamp Program (FSP) • Food for LA • “Making America Stronger: U.S. Food Stamp Program” • Food Stamp Promotion • What can we do?

3. Food Access • To help hungry Angeleno families access healthy foods through promotion of free and low-cost resources. • Schools • Educate teachers, nurses, and parent resource centers about food stamps. • Effectively pass information to needy families.

4. Food Insecurity • Definition • Limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or • Limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways • California • Approx. 2.5 million low-income adults can not afford adequate food California Food Policy Advocates Shared Tables, Shared Struggles: The Impact of Adult Food Insecurity on Families in California November 2007

5. Food Insecurity • Los Angeles • More than 1 in 4 households experience Food Insecurity2002-2003 LA County Health Survey. • 27.9% Income Adults are Food Insecure California Health Interview Survey 2005 • Families with the lowest incomes are at greatest risk for food insecurity and obesity

6. Food Assistance Programs • The Food Stamp Program • Los Angeles CountyProgram Access Index(PAI) is 0.379California Food Policy Advocates 2/2008 • Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) • The School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs • Food Banks and Food Pantries

7. Increase Food Security • Key steps to ensure access to healthy, affordable food: • Every child starts the day with a school breakfast • Access to healthy, affordable foods • improved purchasing power with food stamps • healthier school meals • Remove unnecessary barriers to participating in the Food Stamp Program California Food Policy Advocates Shared Tables, Shared Struggles: The Impact of Adult Food Insecurity on Families in California November 2007

8. What is the Food Stamp Program? • The Food Stamp Program (FSP) is the largest food assistance program in the country. • 100% Federally funded through USDA • State run program where Federal and State governments share administrative costs • Help for low-income people and their families to purchase food • Who can get food stamp benefits? • People who do not have enough money to buy the food they need to stay healthy

9. What is the Food Stamp Program? • All persons who wish to apply for FS benefits must be given an opportunity to apply even if they do not appear to be eligibleFood Stamp Program Policy, LA Dept. of Public Social Services • Who can qualify for food stamp benefits? • Low-income people and their family • Immigrants and children of immigrants • Seniors • Individuals residing in room and board arrangements, homeless individuals in shelters, and temporary residents of a shelter for battered women and children

10. What is the Food Stamp Program? • Who is eligible? • Income below the < 185% Federal poverty level. • Households with an elderly or disabled member. • Disaster Food Stamp Program • People who receive SSI/SSP in California are not eligible • How much food stamp benefits can people receive? • The amount depends on income, expenses and family size • Most families receive over $100 per month • Minimum benefit increased to $14 per month

11. Food for LA October 2008 amounts adjusted * Actual amount depends on your case situation.

12. Food for LA • Example family in Los Angeles: • Family of 4 - Income less than $2,297 • Rent in LA • 2 bedroom apt. approx. $1,500/mo. • Remaining $797 • Transportation • Health care • Education • Utilities • Food • Food Stamp Benefits could be $588

13. Food for LA • Advantage Card Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system • Buy food with EBT card from any approved grocery store, farmers’ markets, and restaurants • EBT card works like an ATM card

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15. Food for LA • Underutilization of FSP in Los Angeles • Approx. 650,000 of the 1.3 million people eligible in Los Angeles do not participate • This equates to about $948,066,231 in lost food stamp dollars for Los AngelesCalifornia Food Policy Advocates, 2008 • Families with the lowest incomes are at greatest risk for food insecurity and obesity

16. Myths and Misconceptions • Food Stamps will affect your eligibility for permanent residency • IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR IMMIGRANTSNew INS guidelines permit immigrants and their children to use certain non-cash benefits and special purpose cash benefits without affecting their immigration status including: Food Stamps

17. Myths and Misconceptions • You must pay back the benefits that you receive • Your children must pay back the benefits • You could be deported if DPSS knows you are undocumented • If both parents work, your family will not qualify • Food Stamps are welfare

18. Myths and Misconceptions • There are not enough Food Stamp benefits for everyone who qualifies • Having a bank account disqualifies you • You cannot own a home (or a car) • Finger printing is used to determine your legal immigration status • If you are homeless or a senior citizen, you do not qualify

19. Food Stamp Program “Making America Stronger: U.S. Food Stamp Program” http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4227072942568227672

20. Regional Food Stamp Promotion • TV • Univision • Champion Mom • Radio • Champion Mom • Print • Bus Placards • Champion Mom Billboards • Brochures

21. Social Marketing Campaign

22. Food Stamp Promotion with Resources • Brochures • Food for LA • The People’s Guide • Network brochure • CMA Foundation

23. Food Stamp Application Assistance • District 1 DPSS Offices • 211 • CBO’s/FBO’s • Eligibility Outreach Workers • Schedule with Rosalind Taylor rosalindtaylor@dpss.lacounty.gov • MediCal Workers • Mobile Units

24. What can we do? • Be aware of current outreach efforts • Talk about FSP with teachers and administrators • Promote Food Stamp Program within our schools • Provide referral resources to families • Share success stories

25. Suzanne Bogert, MS, RD Project Director Network for a Healthy California--Los Angeles Region 3530 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 800 Los Angeles, CA 90010 213.351.7875 sbogert@ph.lacounty.gov Michael Greene Dietetic Intern Network for a Healthy California--Los Angeles Region 3530 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 800 Los Angeles, CA 90010 213.351.7335 migreene@ph.lacounty.gov Thank you!Contact Information