Katina,
I would like to chat more with you about your elgibility for foodstamps if you are interested. Based on what you described, YOU DO qualify for foodstamps and the income guidelines are the same for all states except Alaska and Hawaii where the income you can make and still qualify is even higher. Contrary to the words you have seen me post here, I do care and I do want to help others. Mark and I have been through all sorts of appeals to get FS and Medicaid benefits for him as well as win his social security case. If you want some guidance, I would be more than happy to let you know what worked for us.
For a family of 5 your can make $2,387 without ANY deductions and qualify. If you have a "disabled" member in the family (a child or adult recieving medicaid or on SSI/SSDI) all you have to meet is the Gross income test, which is set at $1,836 for a family of 5.
The $1,836 is the income after all deductions including a 20% deduction from EARNED income, a $147 deduction for a family of 5, a dependent care deduction for children or disabaled persons "not more than $200 for each child under age 2 and not more than $175 for each other dependent", and Excess shelter costs that are more than half of the household's income AFTER the other deductions. Allowable costs include the cost of fuel to heat and cook with, electricity, water, the basic fee for one telephone, rent or mortgage payments and taxes on the home. (Some States allow a set amount for utility costs instead of actual costs.) The amount of the shelter deduction cannot be more than $388 UNLESS one person in the household is elderly or disabled. Then additionally, you are entitled to excess medical deductions if they are over $35 for the "disabled" family member.
The ONLY thing that should vary state to state is how they define somebody with a disability.
Not to be nosey but according to the info you provided, your family makes about $2200 a month. According to that, you should meet the Gross Monthly income limits. In case you are over just a bit, if you deduct the 20%, the $147 standard deduction for your family, and if you have dependent care expenses, I calculate you are WAY under the NET income test. I am not trying to invade here, just to help.
And for the record, to the person who stated it seems I think I know everything; I don't think I know it all. I have been through a lot though and I was raised that we all have something to offer in life and we all have something to learn. These types of things (information on food stamps, SSI, medicaid and RIGHTS in general) seem to be what I have to offer. Take it or leave it. I have learned a lot from people on this board and I ask my own slough of questions periodically, so don't think for a moment I don't come here for help.
And hello renfestMom, I am not sure if I have ever talked to you on this board, but I do appreciate the cyber hug.
Katina, if you are interested please do email me at division902@hotmail.com