St. Mary's County Department of Social Services, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
dhs.maryland.gov/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program/
Resource Details
Alternate Name St. Mary's County DSS, SNAP; St. Mary's County Food Stamps
Description SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD: Free food benefits provided monthly to eligible low-income households that allows them to purchase food from participating stores. Clients are given an independence card similar to a bank debit card to access benefits.

Applicants who are eligible for food stamps may receive them within seven days if their resources are less than $100 and gross monthly income is less than $150 for the past month, or if their income and resources are less than their monthly housing cost. Migrant/seasonal workers and qualified aliens may be eligible for food stamp benefits and should call for more information on eligibility requirements.

Citizenship and Immigrant Status: 
Some people who are not U.S. citizens are not eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). There are exceptions for refugees, asylees, immigrants whose deportation has been withheld, Cuban/Haitian entrants, Amerasians and some immigrants legally admitted for permanent residence, parolees, aliens granted conditional entry, and certain battered spouses and children. Border Crossing Native Americans, certain Iraqi and afghan immigrants, victims of human trafficking and Hmong or Laotian tribe members may also be eligible. Even if some members of your household are not eligible, those who are may be able to get food supplement benefits.

Social Security Numbers: 
You will have to provide a Social Security number for every household member, including children, except for undocumented immigrants applying on behalf of others. If any household member, other than an undocumented immigrant does not have a Social Security number, he or she will have to apply for one.

Work Rules:
With certain exceptions, able-bodied adults between 16 and 60 years of age must register for work, accept an offer of suitable work, and take part in an employment and training program when referred to one by the local department of social services.

Students:
Most students ages 18 through 49 who are enrolled in college or other institutions of higher education at least half time are not eligible for SNAP. However, students may be able to get SNAP benefits if otherwise eligible if they:
  1. get cash assistance benefits under a TCA program;
  2. take part in a State or federally financed work study program;
  3. work at least 20 hours a week (no averaging);
  4. are taking care of a dependent household member under the age of 6;
  5. are taking care of a dependent household member over the age of 5 but under 12 and do not have adequate child care to enable them to attend school and work a minimum of 20 hours, or to take part in a State or federally financed work study program; or
  6. are a single parent in school full-time with a child under 12; or
  7. are assigned to or placed in a college or certain other schools through:
    1. a program under the Work Force Investment Act,
    2. a program under Section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974,
    3. an employment and training program under the Food Stamp Act, or
    4. an employment and training program operated by a State or local government.
  8. are receiving disability and receiving SSI, SSA or VA disability payments, or
  9. have a disability verified by a doctor or licensed psychologist.
 
Deductions: 
After adding all of your household’s countable income, the case manager will subtract certain deductions.  The following deductions are allowed for all households:
  1. standard deduction;
  2. 20 percent of earned income;
  3. actual costs of dependent care costs for children and disabled adults if this care is needed so that a household member can work, look for a job, or get training or education leading to a job;
  4. legally owed and paid child-support payments;
  5. shelter expenses and utility expenses;
  6. medical expenses over $35 a month for household members who are age 60 or older or receiving certain disability payments.
 
Proof: Verification for the following is required:
  1. verification of income, such has but not limited to: paystubs, letter from employer or award letter.
  2. child-support payments, such as a court order and cancelled checks and the legal obligation to pay;
  3. verification of legal immigrant status for eligible immigrants;
  4. medical expenses for individuals 60 or older or disabled;
  5. any information which is questionable or conflicting.
Finding Out if You Qualify
After your interview, the local department will send you a notice.
If you do not qualify for SNAP benefits, the notice will provide the reason.
If you qualify for benefits, the notice will explain how much SNAP benefits you will get. It will also tell you how many months you can get SNAP benefits before you must reapply.
If you think your application has been wrongly denied or that you have not gotten the correct amount of SNAP benefits, you should tell the office. If they do not agree, you must ask them to have your case reviewed by a fair hearing official. 

Receiving Your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits
If the office finds that you are eligible, you should get your SNAP benefits no later than 30 days from the date you first applied, unless you qualify for faster service. If you have no income (or very little income) for the month and you need help right away, you may qualify for Expedited SNAP benefits within 7-days. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are issued to households on an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card, called the Independence Card. You use this card to buy your food.
 
Defined coverage areas:
Maryland - Saint Marys County
Physical Address 23110 Leonard Hall Dr
Leonardtown MD
20650 United States
  View map of this location
Hours of operation:
Mon: 8:30AM 4:30PM
Tue: 8:30AM 4:30PM
Wed: 8:30AM 4:30PM
Thu: 8:30AM 4:30PM
Fri: 8:30AM 4:30PM
Program
Eligibility Persons or families are eligible if they meet income requirements. If all in the household are under age 60, assets (cash, vehicles, securities, personal property or bank accounts) may not exceed $2000. Households with at least one member aged 60 or older are allowed assets up to $3000. One car is allowed per household, regardless of the car's value.
Languages Offered Accommodations possible.
Program Fees None.
Application Process File an application in-person with local Department of Social Services. Can also apply by mail or fax, or go to mymdthink@maryland.gov to apply online.
Documents Required Applicant must bring the following to any DSS office: Bank account books; utility bills; verification of rent or mortgage payments; the last 5 or 6 pay stubs; birth certificates and Social Security numbers for the entire household; utility bills; unemployment compensation receipts; and their award letter from SSI, Social Security or V.A.
Normal Wait Times 30 mins
Programs at this agency St. Mary's County Department of Social Services, Adoption
St. Mary's County Department of Social Services, Adult Foster Care
St. Mary's County Department of Social Services, Adult Protective Services
State of Maryland Child Scholarship Program
St. Mary's County Department of Social Services, Child Protective Services
St. Mary's County Department of Social Services, Child Support Services
St. Mary's County Department of Social Services, Emergency Assistance to Families with Children
St. Mary's County Department of Social Services, Foster Care for Children & Licensing
St. Mary's County Department of Social Services, In-Home Aide Services
St. Mary's County Department of Social Services, Medical Assistance
St. Mary's County Department of Social Services, Project Home
St. Mary's County Department of Social Services, Services to Families with Children
St. Mary's County Department of Social Services, Social Services to Adults
St. Mary's County Department of Social Services, Respite Care
St. Mary's County Department of Social Services, Temporary Disability Assistance Program
St. Mary's County Department of Social Services, Temporary Cash Assistance Program
St. Mary's County Department of Social Services, Employment Services

Contact Information
Mailing Address PO Box 509
Leonardtown MD
20650 United States
Toll Free Number 1-800-332-6347
Fax Number 240-895-7099
TTY 301-475-2541
Main 240-895-7000
EBT Assistance Line 800-997-2222
Director or Senior Administrator Name Alexis Zoss
Director or Senior Administrator Title Director
Sites offering this Program 23110 Leonard Hall Drive