Food assistance through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (Food Stamp Program)
The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) is administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. SNAP provides electronic benefits issued in the form of a plastic card similar to a bank debit card. These electronic benefit cards can be used like cash at most grocery stores. Households can use SNAP benefits to buy food for the household such as bread and cereal, fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, dairy products and seeds or plants which produce food. Households cannot use SNAP benefits to buy beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, non-food items, vitamins or medicines.
Discounts on home telephone bills or free cell phone
Telephonic Assistance Programs
Preferred Care Partners’ Social Services Unit can help members apply for a variety of monthly discount programs or free cell phone service. The Lifeline program provides discounts on monthly telephone charges for qualified subscribers. Link Up provides qualified subscribers with a one-time discount (up to a maximum of $30) off of the initial installation fee for one wireline service.
Free Cell Phone Service
Members who qualify can get a free cell phone through the Government Cellphone Program and Lifeline. These phones come with voice mail, call waiting and caller ID. Beneficiaries typically get up to 250 minutes of airtime at no charge per month.