Reduction in state food benefits for some immigrants begins in July

JUNE 27, 2012                                                                                     NO. 012 – 027

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Babs Roberts, DSHS Community Services Division Director, 360-725-4888

Kathy Spears, DSHS Public Affairs Media Relations Manager, 360-902-7893

Reduction in state food benefits for some immigrants begins in July

OLYMPIA – The benefit level for the state’s Food Assistance for Legal Immigrants Program will be in reduced by half beginning July 1. The reduction is a cost-saving measure to help balance the state budget during difficult economic times.

FAP provides benefits to legal immigrants who are not eligible for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Food Assistance for Legal Immigrants Program recipients receive the same amount of benefits as people in the federal program, but the state Legislature reset the state benefit at half the amount of the federal program benefit effective July 1.

DSHS has notified FAP recipients by mail of these changes, including the dollar amount of their changed benefit.

There is no change in benefits for people in the federal food assistance program, called SNAP.

Recipients of FAP who think they are eligible for SNAP should contact the Department of Social and Health Services at 1-877-501-2233 or visit their local DSHS Community Services Office.

DSHS offers two types of food assistance:

1.       Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, also called Basic Food or food stamps)

2.       State Food Assistance Program for Legal Immigrants (FAP)

Examples of people who can qualify for SNAP include:

• People with a permanent resident card (green card) who are under 18.
• People who have had a permanent resident card (green card) for 5 years.
• Refugees
• People with a permanent resident card (green card), who have been honorably discharged from the U.S. military.

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DSHS does not discriminate and provides equal access to its programs and services for all persons without regard to race, color, gender, religion, creed, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, veteran’s status or the presence of any physical, sensory or mental disability.

Jennifer M. Gau

Department of Social and Health Services

Public Affairs

(360) 902-7829

jennifer.gau@dshs.wa.gov