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Food Stamp Program: What are Food Stamps?
If you're like many people, it can be hard to make ends meet. The Food Stamp Program is a nutrition program that helps individuals and families buy food and eat healthy. The program provides a monthly sum of money on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to be used, like a debit card, at most grocery stores and other food retailers.
The Income Maintenance Administration (IMA), a division of the Department of Human Services, runs the Food Stamp Program in the District of Columbia. Information for Virginia residents, information for Maryland residents.
To get a food stamp application by mail, call: (202) 724-5506, or print it online, or you can get an application by visiting any IMA office as listed below. Completed applications--along with copies of supporting documents--may be mailed to your Service Center or to DHS/IMA, 3rd Floor, 645 H St., NE, Washington, DC 20002. If you mail them, please write your name and your date of birth on each document.
Income
Maintenance Administration (IMA)
Hours: M - F: 8:15am - 5pm; Wed.: 8:15am - 8pm Main phone number: (202) 724-5506 Visit the IMA Website |
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| IMA Service Center | Address | Phone (202) |
| Anacostia | 2100 Martin Luther King Avenue, SE | 645-4614 |
| Congress Heights | 4001 South Capitol Street, SW | 645-4525 |
| Eckington | 51 N Street, NE | 724-8720 |
| Fort Davis | 3851 Alabama Avenue, SE | 645-4500 |
| H Street | 645 H Street, NE | 698-4350 |
| Taylor Street | 1207 Taylor Street, NW | 576-8000 |
| Northeast | 3917 Minnesota Avenue, NE | 724-7900 |
>> more information on How do I apply?
FAQs
1. What foods can I buy with Food Stamps?
| Yes | No |
| meats, cheese, milk, bread, vegetables, and most other food; home-delivered meals on wheels; meals for people with drug and alcohol addictions living in non-profit treatment programs (and many other people living in group homes and shelters); seeds and plants used for food production. | alcohol, tobacco, soap, paper products, pet food, prepared food (i.e., food from a restaurant or prepared food stations are grocery stores). |
2. How much can I get in Food Stamps?
Income Guidelines* |
|
Household Size |
Maximum Monthly Benefit Amount |
1 |
$152 |
2 |
$278 |
3 |
$399 |
4 |
$506 |
5 |
$601 |
6 |
$722 |
7 |
$798 |
8 |
$912 |
For each additional family member... |
+$114 |
* USDA - FY 2006 FSP Allotment Chart
