WIC or Food Stamps bank statement?

[ORMom2Four]

Dh was laid off today. He's almost 40 and has been working every day of his life since he was 12 years old. To say that he's in shock is an understatement

We have our 4 older kiddos and recently had twin girls. Until now, we've paid for their formula. In fact, I just bought another $100 worth a few days ago. I'm wondering if WIC or DHS will want to see our bank statement when we apply? We don't have a huge amt, but I don't see anywhere online if there is a limit to the cash you have available that will make you not qualified for assistance (hope that makes sense, I'm in a bit of shock and can barely complete sentences, lol)

 

[creativeamanda]

For some reason, I'm thinking the limit is $5000 in the bank. They are also going to look back several months. I've helped parents at school fill the paperwork out and that number sticks in my head for some reason.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Go online. The information for your state should be somewhere on your state's website. Every state will have different requirements; you should be able to find out what documentation is required and what the eligiblity requirements are.

 

[KNEIPPK]

I believe it is current income- food stamps will want bank statements- wic is not so tough--i am raising my 2 grandkids and the formula alone is worth the hassle

 

[HelenePA]

I am pretty sure they ask for 401k amounts and stuff like that. My friend was telling me when she had her twins (they were micro babies) she applied and since she had a 401k worth more than 10k they turned her down.. this was 10 years ago so things might have changed since then. I hope he finds a job soon... Good Luck

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

It has been a long time since we received WIC but we definetely has to bring copies of both our checking and savings account. They also need to know if you have stocks, bonds, and or 401K accounts. Back then, we didn't have any of those, so I am not sure how much you are allowed before you are denied. Sorry about your situation, hope it turns around quickly.

 

[tvguy]

Here are the WIC guidelines
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/howtoapply/incomeguidelines.htm

They appear to be entirely income based, no mention of cash or other assets on hand.

And what clearly may be a gross generalization on my part, I thought 401k savings were exempt are about everything from food stamps, welfare, WIC, bankruptcy, everything except divorce.

 

[Sparx]

Since your husband is unemployed (is he the only/main wage earner?) you will most likely qualify for both wic and foodstamps. Your DH will probably receive unemployment. You can call your local DHS, Unemployment office, and Health Department for more information.

I'm sorry he lost his job. All of these forms are a major headache.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I am a social worker for the elderly. I have assisted to apply for food stamps many many times. They never had asked for a bank statement. They ask for an income statement such as a paycheck, unemployement check or social security check. They also have some deductions too, with a cap, such as housing(rent, mortgage. You can include tax and homeowner's or renters insurance in that too) utilities ( gas, electric) and daycare expenses.
I have never had to include banking statements or 401K, annuities, Life insurance policies, etc when I have done a Food Stamp application. It is just income based. I don't know about WIC. Now when someone applies for Medicaid they will want to see your bank statements and even have a look back period in case you have transferred any asset's.
FYI. You may also be eligible for fuel assistance. In my state, they start taking application in October. If you utilize daycare, you may be eligible for a subsidy. Each state is different.
Best wishes

 

[Darcy03231]

I live in NH and for food stamps here they ask to see bank statements. You can't have more than $2000 in the bank to qualify.

I have a foster child that is now not in the system because she's graduated from high school (but I kept her anyway - she's going to college and still needs a place to live). She's on food stamps and that's what was required, along with her paycheck stubs, and a signed statement of her monthly expenses such as cell phone, car expenses, etc.

 

[barkley]

i'm retired now but administered food stamps for over 15 years. food stamps are ABSOLUTLY NOT just income based, in fact the majority of applications to this day are denied based on resources (and there's allot of talk at the federal level about this currently).

a food stamp application requires reporting and documentation of a person's income and "resources". resources are all cash on hand, bank acounts, cd's, pension plans, vehicles, and a variety of other properties.

some of the items are exempted from consideration but still have to be reported.

the current federal limit on resources for food stamps is $2000, BUT some states have their own programs in addition to the federal program which might have different criteria (i know idaho was talking a year or so ago about trying to get the feds to let them pilot a program that would raise the resource cap because the number of applicants that were eligible income wise but ended up getting denied because of these resource caps that date back decades was huge-i dont know if they were successful).

if a person does not have current statements then there's a form they can fill out that the worker can send to the bank to get information, but it can delay processing an application.



go to your own state's dss or dhhs website. it will detail out what your state's program is. get the information from the source to ensure you are not disadvantaging yourself and your family from other programs you might be eligible to.


p.s.-be aware, that unemployment earnings are also taken into consideration as well as certain resources owned by your minor children.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

i'm retired now but administered food stamps for over 15 years. food stamps are ABSOLUTLY NOT just income based, in fact the majority of applications to this day are denied based on resources (and there's allot of talk at the federal level about this currently).

a food stamp application requires reporting and documentation of a person's income and "resources". resources are all cash on hand, bank acounts, cd's, pension plans, vehicles, and a variety of other properties.

some of the items are exempted from consideration but still have to be reported.

the current federal limit on resources for food stamps is $2000, BUT some states have their own programs in addition to the federal program which might have different criteria (i know idaho was talking a year or so ago about trying to get the feds to let them pilot a program that would raise the resource cap because the number of applicants that were eligible income wise but ended up getting denied because of these resource caps that date back decades was huge-i dont know if they were successful).

if a person does not have current statements then there's a form they can fill out that the worker can send to the bank to get information, but it can delay processing an application.



go to your own state's dss or dhhs website. it will detail out what your state's program is. get the information from the source to ensure you are not disadvantaging yourself and your family from other programs you might be eligible to.


p.s.-be aware, that unemployment earnings are also taken into consideration as well as certain resources owned by your minor children.

It must vary because they do not ask for it in my area. I just did a FS application at the beginning of July and my client was approved quickly without any banking information. I would know if any of my client's needed any further documentation since I am the one that helps them.

 

[Disneycrazy!!]

Yes, they will ask to see a bank statement. When my husband was laid off, we also had to use WIC and was asked to show our bank statement. Also had to show his lay off slip.

 

[barkley]

It must vary because they do not ask for it in my area. I just did a FS application at the beginning of July and my client was approved quickly without any banking information. I would know if any of my client's needed any further documentation since I am the one that helps them.

that's why it's important to get state specific info. b/c if you go to the usda website (they administer snap-which is what the foodstamp program was renamed in '08) they still show the $2000 resource limit (with seniors and the disabled getting $3000). in some cases, in some states, if a person's income is under certain federal rates they can automaticaly get exempted from a resource test but it's so individualized state to state and person to person (and constantly changing) that a person considering apply REALY has to go to their state site to get particulars.

the rules for elderly and disabled are vastly different even within an individual state than if a person is neither and esp. if they have dependant children (esp. if they have formula reliant infants). the state i worked in is still the only one of the 50 that excludes ALL ssi recipients from getting "food stamps" (that was a HUGE issue of surprise and anger from family members and out of state social services staff when esp. elderly ssi recipients moved there-they just assumed the person would continue getting "food stamps" but instead they got their ssi check increased a bit by the state but no "food stamps").


op-do a google search on-line and see if your state has a trial eligibility caluculator, it can show you what kind of income/resource limits are in place. also call after the holiday and see what kind of programs might also be offered at the local level. there are some programs that are not income based, but co-op things that can REALY save money.

we do "bountiful baskets" which has saved us insane amounts of money on our produce. today was pickup in our area and for $15 we got a huge amount of fruit and veggies (so much that even with a family of 4 we will still have stuff left when the next pickup happens in 2 weeks). like other programs, it's not income based-it's just people from all income levels taking advantage of bulk buying (and what i realy like about it is you do all the sign up and ordering on-line, and you don't have to committ for an individual distribution until the week of, so if you still have lots left over or are short on funds you just pass until the next distribution date).

 

[helloirishkitty]

It's more than income based here in NY. My friend got turned down because her second vehicle was considered an "asset" even though it was barely worth the amount of $$ she paid to register it every year. She sold the car for around $500, and then reapplied and was approved. It definitely varys from state to state.

 

[crispychicky]

OP, I'm so sorry your DH lost his job!

I'm guessing you're from Oregon, based on your username. Here's the link to WIC in Oregon: http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/wic/about_us.shtml

How can people apply for WIC?

Call 1-800-SAFENET (1-800-723-3638) or the local WIC clinic nearest you.
Father, grandparents, foster parents and other guardians may apply for WIC for their children.


What is the length of eligibility?
Pregnant women can get WIC throughout pregnancy plus two months after delivery.
Breastfeeding women can get WIC for up to one year after delivery.
Postpartum women who are not breastfeeding can get WIC until 6 months after delivery.
Children are evaluated every 6 months for continued eligibility and can get WIC until 5 years of age.


What should I bring to my WIC appointment?

Proof of identity for yourself, for example:
Oregon driver's license
State ID card
Passport
Work or school ID
Oregon Health Plan medical ID card
Current WIC ID card

Proof of income, for example:
Current pay stub
Food Stamp award letter
TANF "Notice of Approval"
Unemployement benefit stub
W-2 form
WIC staff can check Oregon Health Plan enrollment online for proof of income

Proof of residence (address), for example:
Oregon driver's license
State ID card
Current utility bill
Bank statement
Rent receipt

After you get your WIC ID card, please bring it to all future appointments.


If the WIC appointment is for your child, please also bring:

Your child
Proof of identity for your child, for example:
Child's birth certificate
Immunization record
Oregon Health Plan medical ID card

Your child's immunization (shot) record, if you have it

Ask your local WIC office if you should bring anything else when you make your appointment.

More info: http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/wic/income.shtml

Oregon WIC Program Income Guidelines


To find out about WIC:
Call a local WIC program near you,
or call 1-800-SAFENET (503-988-5858 in the Portland area).
For TTY relay call 711 or 1-800-735-2900.

Who Is Eligible?

WIC serves lower-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children under age 5 who have health or nutrition risks. Many working families are part of WIC; 71 percent of Oregon WIC families are employed. For example, a family of four that earned $39,228 in 2008 met the WIC income guidelines.

Applicants must meet four criteria to be eligible for WIC:
Live in Oregon.
Be a pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding woman, an infant or a child under 5 years old.
Have a household income less than 185% of poverty guidelines.
Have a nutritional need or risk.
Income Eligibility Criteria - Effective April 1, 2009
The WIC Income standard is 185% of the federal poverty level.

Update, August 6, 2010:
The current WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines will remain in place through June 30, 2011.
For more information on this decision, please see WIC Policy Memorandum 2010-09,
Update on Publication of Poverty Guidelines and Income Eligibility Guidelines.

Gross Household Income
Number of Person(s) in Household Annual Monthly Weekly
1
$20,036 $1,670 $386
2 $26,955 $2,247 $519
3 $33,874 $2,823 $652
4 $40,793 $3,400 $785
5 $47,712 $3,976 $918
6 $54,631 $4,553 $1,051
7 $61,550 $5,130 $1,184
8 $68,469 $5,706 $1,317
Each Additional Household Member Add: + $6,919 + $577 + $134

"Household" means:
a person or group of people, related or not, who usually (though not necessarily) live together and whose income and consumption of goods and services are related. In determining the size of household for a pregnant WIC applicant, count each fetus as an additional household member, unless the woman specifically waives the increase in number.

"Income" means:
gross income, including overtime, before deductions for income taxes, employee's social security taxes, insurance premiums, bonds, etc. The determination of the amount of a household's gross income shall not be considered reduced for financial hardships, medical bills, or child support.

Income Includes:
Cash from salary (including overtime), wages, fees.
Net income from farm and non-farm self-employment.
Social security (including SSI for disabled individuals).
Dividends or interest on savings or bonds, estates, trusts, or net rental income.
Public assistance or welfare payments.
Unemployment compensation.
Government civilian employee or military retirement payments, or veteran's payments.
Private pensions or annuities.
Alimony or child support payment.
Regular contributions from persons not living in the household.
Net royalties.
Student loan amounts in excess of attendance costs. Attendance costs are regular tuition and fees for students carrying at least a half-time workload as determined by the institution, and an allowance for books, supplies, and transportation required by the course of study.
Other cash income or allowances from any resources that are readily available to the household.
Individuals who can prove they are certified as fully eligible for Medicaid (the Oregon Health Plan), TANF, Food Stamps or FDPIR are considered automatically income eligible for WIC.

 

[ORMom2Four]

Thanks for the info everyone

Funny how the guidelines vary from state to state. I would never have imagined they would!

Dh was supporting all of us. DD18 was finally able to get a job in June, and she makes about $600 a month. I'm sure they will count that and she's so sweet she's already offered to give up her paychecks to help with bills. DS16 has been applying for jobs ever since he turned 16. Nobody has called him. The job search is hard even on the teens right now.

After figuring what we will get in unemployment, we'll be short around $1500 a month after we pay bills. We do have savings that will help for awhile. Guess when we run out we'll start to qualify for help. Hopefully he (or I!) will find something quickly.

 

[hentob]

DD18 was finally able to get a job in June, and she makes about $600 a month. I'm sure they will count that and she's so sweet she's already offered to give up her paychecks to help with bills.

You have raised a wonderful child

I wish your family the best during this time of uncertainty. Apply for WIC. You will qualify.

 

[RangerPooh]

Just apply any ways, the worst that could happen is that you get a denial letter that you can follow up to find out why you didn't qualify. Having young children in the home might help you qualify, even if the amount that you receive isn't too much. You can also probably apply for medical coverage for the children. Hopefully things work out soon.

 

[mrsgus06]

You can also talk to the childrens pediatrician. Explain the situation to them and they will probably give you samples to tide you over until the paperwork is reviewed and approved. Good luck to you and your family. You should be very proud of both of your older children, sounds like you did everything right in raising them!