Important Food Stamp Notice
for adults with no children
Your Food Stamps may last for only 3 months, if you:
- Are age 18 or older, but under age 50, and
- Have no children under the age of 18 living with you.
What if I live in an area where it is hard to find a job?
The 3-month time limit does not apply in certain areas of the state with high unemployment.
As of July 2008 if you live in Aroostook, Franklin, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo or
Washington County, the 3-month time limit does not apply to you.
Certain towns in other counties are also
exempt. Go to the Maine Food Stamp Rules 100's section link
and scroll down to section 111-7, pages 1a-3 (near the bottom of page), to
find a complete list of exempt towns.
Or you can ask your Food Stamp worker if your town is exempt.
Who else is safe from the "3-month time limit" rule?
Check this list carefully. Even if you are 18-50 with no children at home,
you should not lose your food stamps if you fit into one of these
groups:
- You are working at a job an average of at least 20 hours a week for a month or more.
(If you are ill or have other good cause and can't work 20 hours every week, you also may
not lose your food stamps.)
- You are self-employed for at least 20 hours per week and earning at least $131.00 a week.
- You are, or will be, in a training program an average of at least 20 hours
a week for a month or more.
- You are doing workfare or volunteer community service for at least 24 hours a month.
- You are a migrant or seasonal farm worker with a contract to begin work
in the next 30 days.
- You must take care of a child under 18. This applies even if you are not
the parent or step-parent of the child. It also applies even if that child
is not on Food Stamps.
- You must take care of an adult who needs help taking care of himself.
- You are not able to work 30-hours a week because of a physical or mental
health problem. (You do not have to show that you have been found officially
"disabled.")
- You are pregnant.
- You are getting unemployment benefits.
- You are going to school at least half-time and otherwise qualify for food
stamps.
- You are in a drug or alcohol treatment program.
If I am cut off, can I get my Food Stamps back?
Yes. You can get your Food Stamps back at any time. To get them back, you must either live in a
high unemployment area or fit into one of the groups listed above. For more information, call your
DHHS Food Stamp worker.
If you get denied Food Stamps and think the denial is wrong, call
MEJP at 1-866-626-7059. | 
