• Food stamps help low-income families supplement their food budget. In New Jersey, the Department of Social Services of each county handles applications for assistance for its residents. Residents can apply in person at the Monmouth County Social Services Board or online. The office must issue benefits to eligible households within 30 days of receiving an application.
  
  

Gross Income

• Eligible households cannot have gross incomes exceeding a certain threshold depending on the number of people in the household. For example, a family of four cannot exceed $3,400 monthly. These income requirements vary if households receive other types of government assistance or have members who are 60 years and older or disabled.
  
  Monmouth County Social Services Board
  
  3000 Kozloski Road
  
  Freehold, NJ 07728
  
  732-431-6000
  
  visitmonmouth.com
  
  

Net Income

• Families also must fall below a certain amount of net income---income after deductions such as housing and utility costs---to get food stamp assistance. Besides housing costs, the office applies a standard deduction of 20 percent for earned income and subtracts things like child support payments and child care, among other deductions. Net income determines the amount of benefits a family receives. The Social Services office can provide more detailed information on net and gross income requirements for various household sizes.
  
  

Documentation

• Applicants must submit certain types of documentation, in person or by mail. This includes proof of income and expenses, a form of identification for every household member and, if applicable, documents outlining child support payments, day care expenses, medical bills, banking statements and proof of legal residency for non-citizens. All documentation must be original.