Sandy Prompts Emergency Food Stamps

Most lower-income residents of New Jersey affected by Superstorm Sandy will be able to apply next week for emergency food stamps.

The state is trying to control the process more tightly than it did last year when it used the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for the first time after the state was hit by Tropical Storm Irene.

A review found that nearly 1 in 5 recipients was not eligible for the benefits.

People who apply this time will have to show proof of residency and receipts showing that they spent at least $100 on storm-related expenses.

Those making under 225 percent of the federal poverty rate are eligible. For a family of four, that means an income of less than $48,400.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)