Food Stamps and Domestic Violence

FOOD STAMP RIGHTS AND ELIGIBILITY: VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
(PM 05-09-00, 21-01-05)

If you are a victim of domestic violence, you may be eligible for food stamps and other public benefits under special rules as long you meet the income and asset guidelines.

Domestic Violence includes:
Domestic violence means that you and/or your children have been battered or treated with extreme cruelty. This includes:

• Physical acts that result in, or threatened to result in, physical injury to you or your child;
• Physical injury to you or your child;
• Sexual activity involving a dependent child;
• Being forced to engage in nonconsensual sexual acts or activities;
• Threats of, or attempts at, physical or sexual acts;
• Mental abuse;
• Neglect or deprivation of medical care;
• When there is a fear of physical or emotional harm to the client or the child due to domestic violence.

Acceptable proof of the claim of Domestic Violence may include:

• A written statement from anyone other than the applicant or client, who has knowledge of the circumstances that supports the statement;
• A police report, government agency record, or court record;
• A statement or other documentation from a domestic or sexual violence program or rape crisis organization from whom the person sought services or advice;
• Documentation from a lawyer, clergy person, medical professional, or other professional from whom the person sought domestic violence services or advice;
• Other evidence, such as physical evidence of violence; or
• Any other credible evidence that supports the claim.

Your Rights as a Victim of Domestic Violence:

• The local office does not have the right to contact anyone, including the abuser or the abuser’s family, without your consent.
• All your information and your location must be kept confidential. The address of the shelter where you are staying, notices, letters, and benefits may be sent to the local office for pick-up or to the shelter’s post office box.
• You and your children are eligible to receive food stamps EVEN IF YOU ARE INCLUDED IN A FOOD STAMP CASE WITH YOUR ABUSER
• Your caseworker is responsible for assisting you if you need help in obtaining proof of abuse
• If you are living in a shelter, you must be staying in a section of the shelter set aside on a long-term basis for battered women and children only.
• Residents of shelters for battered women and children are entitled to expedited (emergency) service. This means that you are entitled to receive your food stamps within five working days, instead of waiting 30 days
• Residents of a shelter are considered living in the county or area where the shelter is located and must file their application at the local office that serves the shelter.