?'s about WIC and food stamps

[Hopefulmama]

We just found out that our family qualifies for food stamps. How long after you submit your application until you start receiving them? Also, can you still qualify for WIC if you receive food stamps?

Thank you.

[MariesMama]

It really depends on your area as to how long it will take before you get FS, but in most states they will backdate it to the date you applied. You might get several hundred dollars when they first approve you.

And yes, you can have both FS and WIC.

[Marissamom]

I receive both foodstamps and wic, and if you meet the income requirements for foodstamps you qualify for wic. how long til you get it really does depend. usually they require an interview and turning in paperwork like income verification.

[Ruthla]

In NYS at least, qualifying for Food Stamps or Medicaid automatically makes you income eligable for WIC. I never even needed to fill out the income paperwork for WIC once I showed proof of Medicaid. I was able to receive food stamps and WIC simultaneously- in fact, the WIC lady asked me about food stamps and the food stamps worker asked me about WIC, as people from both agencies knew I qualified for both.

When I applied for food stamps, it took about 2 months for the application to be processed. Then I got back-payment from the date I applied, or possibly for the day after the date I applied. I remember it felt like a ton of money at once, and then about a week later I got the next month's food stamps.

[sunsetdancer]

Our food stamps were approved and received the same day. Well, the first time we were on it, it took about a week but that was b/c we were missing one piece of paperwork and it took that long for my DH to get it to the office. We went off them for a while and when we went back in them, the money was loaded onto our card the same day. However, it can really depend on how busy your office is where you live. Where I live, people have to line up early and they are seen same day if they are in before 10 am. We also may have qualified for "emergency" food stamps b/c DH lost his job and we had no income coming in.

WIC usually takes longer b/c it takes longer to get an appt. Once you gt an appt, you should receive the checks the same day and can use them immediately. I despise going to the local WIC office but I suck I up b/c we need the help with food. Once one of gets a job, I am dropping it even if we still qualify. It's just not worth it for us but different offices are better than others.

[Norasmomma]

I've gotten both and both were easy. I think a lot depends on the state you live in and how much red tape you need to get through. We've gotten WIC since DD was a baby, FS we started last year. WA raised the FS income to 200% FPL, so we qualified, plus DH was laid off much of last year. We had a new baby and a 3 year old, things were tight. At first I felt kinda guilty even applying, BUT when your choices are pay the house payment or buy food, well it's kinda a no-brainer.

It helped us SO much.

[provocativa]

here, it depends on how much cash you have on hand or in your checking acct. if the balance is below a certain point, they rush the app, and give you a referral for the food bank.

[Hopefulmama]

Many thanks for all of the replies. I am still trying to get all of the paper work together, copied, etc. I appreciate your responses.

[Turquesa]

Thought I'd chime in one more voice here. I live in a notoriously conservative state and know for sure that you can get both WIC and food stamps. Even our lawmakers know that food stamps alone won't suffice for families that need the extra support and nutritional counseling that WIC provides.

[BlueLeaf]

Technically they're supposed to have your benefits on your card no less than 30 days from the date of your application. If your circumstances are severe, they should be on your card within 7 days. Many places don't meet this standard because of workload issues.