What are the requirements to sign up for food stamps?

To receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits — formerly called food stamps — you must be a state resident, possess proof of identity, have or apply for a Social Security number, and meet income and resource tests.

“Most households must meet both the gross and net income tests, but a household with a person who is 60 years old or older or a person who is receiving certain types of disability payments only has to meet the net income test,” reads the website of the state Department of Children and Family Services.

“Gross income means a household’s total, non-excluded income, before any deductions have been made. Net income means gross income minus allowable deductions. Households … that have income over the amounts listed below cannot get SNAP benefits.”

The gross and net monthly income eligibility limits, along with the maximum SNAP amount, per household:

One-person household — $1,276; $981; $194.

Two-person household — $1,726; $1,328; $357.

Three-person household — $2,177; $1,675; $511.

Four-person household — $2,628; $2,021; $649.

Five-person household — $3,078; $2,368; $771.

Six-person household — $3,529; $2,715; $925.

Seven-person household — $3,980; $3,061; $1,022.

Eight-person household — $4,430; $3,408; $1,169.

According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service report issued in August, monthly SNAP program participation in Louisiana in fiscal year 2015 amounted to 859,738 people in 389,519 households — for a year-end total of $1.3 billion in benefits.

The average monthly benefit amount in Louisiana, the report says, was $125.86 per person in fiscal year 2015 — which ended Sept. 30, 2015 — and $277.79 per household.

As of Aug. 5, FNS data show, SNAP participation — including disaster food stamp aid — was projected to rise about 7 percent from 854,073 people in May 2015 to 912,045 in May 2016. Participation per household was projected to rise by 7.5 percent from 386,738 in May 2015 to 415,910 in May 2016.

The benefit total over the same period was projected to rise about 7 percent from $108.6 million to $116 million.

According to the state family services department, 421,616 households took part in the food stamp program in June, the most recent month for which data are available.

SNAP benefits may be used to buy breads and cereals; produce; meat and fish; dairy products; and seeds and plants that will produce food.

They may not be used to buy alcoholic beverages; tobacco products; non-food items; vitamins; or hot food.

For more information, call the Department of Children and Family Services at 888-524-3578.

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Online: www.dss.state.la.us; www.fns.usda.gov/data-and-statistics.

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The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.