Applying for food stamps...am I getting scammed?

[KobeBryant]

My sister is about to have a kid and she needs food stamps.

She came to me today with a written up paper saying that I need to sign it and provide my social security because the people she is getting food stamps need these information?

The paper written was saying that she lives with me and that she is also paying rent here. What im worried about is giving out my social to her because we are really not that close and am worried it could be other things as she's trying to use my SS for food stamps?

Please give me some inputs.. Thanks in advance

 

[Ennazus8810]

I do know that they need proof that she lives with you and is paying rent. I highly doubt they need your social security number. I have applied for benefits for many clients over the years and the landlords never had to provide a SS number. I suggest calling the office and speaking to a case worker.

 

[SweetMommy]

I agree w/ the above poster..........they do not need your social.

 

[brios86]

Unless she is trying to get benefits for you as well the they would need it. Maybe she told them that you guys eat together and then you would be "required" to be on her case unless you guys start eating separate. I would offer your phone number to her worker instead and have them call you if they have a problem.

 

[tar heel]

If she doesn't actually live with you and pay rent, then she is asking you to help her commit a crime. When you sign that paper, you're affirming that it's true. I wouldn't give her my social unless I totally trusted her in any case.

 

[tink15823]

I hope I can shed some light on this .If both of you are splitting the rent and food bill and household bills both incomes have to be claimed.If she is truly living in your home and paying rent and her own meals only her income and if she has a partner his income would count. As others have said if you sign the paper and she is not paying rent or living there it is a crime I would call your local assistance office to be safe .

 

[seashoreCM]

Landlords must give their social security numbers to receive rent through Section 8 and other subsidized housing programs. But if the landlord is not receiving money or beneifts from the program the tenant is applying for then the landlord does not have to give out his SS no.

The form you need to put your name and SS no. on will have (must have) labeled spaces for that and be relevent to a business relationship (landlord, employee etc.) with her. You would not put your SS no. on a nondescript form or on the back of an envelope for her to copy onto other forms. And you do not give out your SS no. or signature for some purpose that benefits only the other person and not you.

 

[readyfordis]

government agencies will only ask for social security #s of her, her spouse or live in boyfriend, and children. If they wanted your social security they would send you something seperate to fill out they would never ask a 3rd party to get it for them. When I was young and pregnant and lived with my boyfriend, I applied for food stamps and they wouldnt even allow me to turn in his number without him coming in the office to sign. I know now a lot is done online but they are always picky about this.

 

[undertheradar]

What an interesting first post.

 

[karliebug]

I know that for kids to get free lunch at our school they ask for everyone's ss number in the household. So if she is in the household, that is why. But if she is just a landlord then no.

 

[torinsmom]

If she is living you, she is part of your household. Because of this, your income would be considered in giving her any benefits. If you want to cooperate, there should be a phone number on the form. Call and arrange to come in and give this information in person. I would not write it on a form and send it with someone I did not trust.

 

[DawnM]

What an interesting first post.

 

[luvsJack]

If she pays rent to you, I would think the paper would ask for that amount?

If she is just saying that she lives with you and doesn't pay rent, they need it as you are one of the members of the household. Several things such as the free lunch program and student financial aid asks for everyone in the household and does ask for socials. They use this to make sure people aren't being named for more than one household or that people don't use names that are being claimed on someone else's taxes, etc.

 

[ccgirl]

My sister is about to have a kid and she needs food stamps.

She came to me today with a written up paper saying that I need to sign it and provide my social security because the people she is getting food stamps need these information?

The paper written was saying that she lives with me and that she is also paying rent here. What im worried about is giving out my social to her because we are really not that close and am worried it could be other things as she's trying to use my SS for food stamps?

Please give me some inputs.. Thanks in advance

First of all, I never sign anythign unless it is an official document and I have read and understand it thoroughly.

Does she live with you and pay you rent? Or are you both on the lease? If she pays the rent to you and you do not claim it as income, you could be getting in trouble too. You are really not that close but she lives with you?

I guess I'm just a bit confused here.

 

[kim929]

As already said, if she lives with you all income coming into the house is counted so your ss # would be needed. But, when applying for food stamps, you fill out a booklet and in that would be the page you put all people living in the house, not a piece of paper.

If she rents an apartment from you, then a piece of paper stating you are her landlord, when she moved in, and the amount of rent she pays is all that is needed, no social.

Now, I'm not an accountant, but I don't think she would have to report income received from her sister if she is only paying like 25 week to live with her sister, I'm pretty sure my parents didn't claim the 25 I paid to live with them.

 

[Muushka]

What an interesting first post.

I thought the same thing.

 

[Bob NC]

What an interesting first post.

What an interesting 2506th post.

 

[undertheradar]

What an interesting 2506th post.

What's your point?

 

[soccerchick]

What an interesting 2506th post.

Not really interesting. I'd call it perceptive.

 

[ConnieB]

Yep, interesting first post.......but also interesting that "we're not really close" Ummm, you live together, share rent, share other bills and aren't really close. To each his own, but that is interesting to me too.

And just in case by some off chance you are legit...or more for someone else wondering..........nope, she doesn't need your SSN.....if you were the landlord, all they need is a way to contact you and a copy of the lease/rental agreement. What they're looking for is not only the amount of rent, but the lease/rental agreement will list all those who are living there (or it should)...and they're trying to make sure that your boyfriend or another adult isn't already supporting you and you are trying to scam them by claiming poverty to get food stamps. EVERYONE living in the household's income will be considered....so if your friend is making livable wages you aren't individually eligble for food stamps, regaardless of reality of whether they are supporting you or not. The assumption is that they are helping you and good luck trying to prove otherwise, lol. Friends working in DES talk about these scams all the time.