Sometimes, people need help getting food on the table. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), often called food stamps, can help with that. If you know someone who’s applying for food stamps, and you want to help them out, you might be asked to write a letter of support. This letter basically tells the food stamp office about your relationship with the person and why you think they need help. Writing a good letter can make a big difference! Let’s learn how to write one.
Who Needs to Write a Letter of Support?
You might be asked to write a letter of support if you’re a friend, family member, landlord, or anyone else who knows the person applying for food stamps well. The food stamp office wants to understand their situation better. They want to see if the person is really struggling and needs the help.
There are a few scenarios where a letter of support is super helpful:
- The person lives with you.
- You know the person’s financial struggles.
- You can vouch for their situation.
Your letter will give the food stamp office a clearer picture of what’s going on. It will also show that you’re willing to help and that the applicant isn’t alone.
Keep in mind that it’s always a good idea to discuss the letter with the applicant first to make sure you’re both on the same page and that the information is accurate.
What to Include in Your Letter
So, what exactly do you put in the letter? Well, the food stamp office wants specific information to help them with their decision. You need to make sure your letter is clear, honest, and helpful. The food stamp office will use your letter, along with other information, to decide if the person qualifies for food stamps.
Here’s the core information you should include in your letter:
- Your Full Name
- Your Address
- Your Phone Number
- The Date
This lets the food stamp office know who you are and how to contact you if they have any questions. You also need to clearly state why you are writing the letter.
Your Relationship to the Applicant
The food stamp office needs to know how you know the person who’s applying. Are you a friend, a family member, a neighbor, or something else? Make sure you clearly state your relationship. This helps them understand the context of your letter and how well you know the applicant. For example, a letter from a close family member might carry more weight than a letter from someone who barely knows the person.
The key is to be honest and accurate about your connection. You could say something like, “I am the applicant’s sister,” or “I’ve been a close friend of the applicant for five years.” This gives the food stamp office a good starting point for understanding your perspective.
Don’t be afraid to add some extra details that show your connection, for instance, you can add details like how often you interact, how long you’ve known each other, and shared experiences.
Here’s an example of how to explain your relationship: “I am the applicant’s neighbor. I have lived next door to them for three years and have gotten to know them quite well. We often chat, and I have witnessed their financial struggles firsthand.”
Details About the Applicant’s Situation
This is where you get to describe what’s going on with the applicant. Be as specific as possible. The more details you provide, the better the food stamp office can understand their situation. It’s important to be truthful and avoid exaggerating. You can also explain why the applicant is unable to provide for themselves financially.
Here are some things you might want to include:
- Information about their job situation (unemployed, underemployed, etc.)
- Any health problems they are facing.
- Any financial struggles they have (like high rent, medical bills, etc.)
Remember to provide specific examples. For instance, instead of saying “They have trouble paying bills,” you could say, “They have been struggling to pay rent and utilities for the past three months.”
Consider this table to organize some relevant information you can use:
| Issue | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Employment | Unemployed since October due to company downsizing. |
| Housing Costs | Rent is $1,500 a month, consuming a large portion of their income. |
| Health Concerns | Recently diagnosed with a chronic illness, resulting in medical bills. |
How the Applicant Has Been Affected
Now that you’ve described the applicant’s situation, it’s time to explain how it’s affecting them. How are their struggles impacting their daily life? This is where you show the food stamp office why the applicant needs help. Be empathetic and focus on the realities of their struggles.
Think about what the person is going through. Are they having trouble affording food? Are they having to choose between paying for food and paying for other essential bills? This is the heart of your letter, and you want to make sure you are showing support. Be specific about the consequences the applicant is facing.
Some examples of what to include:
- Mention whether they are regularly missing meals.
- Describe any difficulty they have with buying groceries.
- Explain how they have to make tough choices.
You might say something like, “I have seen them skip meals because they can’t afford enough food. They’ve also had to choose between buying groceries and paying their electric bill.”
What You Know About Their Character
This part of the letter is where you can highlight the applicant’s positive qualities. This helps the food stamp office understand who the person is as an individual. However, don’t overdo it. Keep it brief and honest. This doesn’t mean you have to gush about how amazing they are. Just share a few positive things that show the applicant is a good person who deserves support.
Here are a few things you could mention:
- Their work ethic, if they are employed
- Their efforts to find a job
- Their willingness to help others
For instance, you could say, “I know they are actively looking for work and are dedicated to finding a job.” You could also add something like, “I’ve seen them volunteer at the local food bank, which shows they have a giving heart.”
This information lets the food stamp office know the applicant is trying to improve their situation and is a responsible person who can manage food stamps if approved.
Your Closing Statement and Signature
Your letter needs a clear closing statement. This is where you show that you are directly supporting the applicant. You can end by reiterating your support and expressing your belief that the person needs food stamps.
Make sure you include a simple and direct closing like:
- “I believe the applicant would greatly benefit from receiving food stamps.”
- “I wholeheartedly support the applicant’s application for food stamps.”
- “I hope the food stamp office considers their application favorably.”
Always end with your signature and the date. Make sure your signature is legible so the food stamp office can read it. If the letter is typed, a handwritten signature is best.
Finally, include your printed name below your signature to make it clear who wrote the letter. This allows the food stamp office to know how to properly contact you. Here is how the end of the letter should look:
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
[Date]
What to Avoid in Your Letter
There are a few things you should NOT include in your letter. Avoid these to keep your letter clear, helpful, and professional.
Avoid personal attacks or insults: Your letter should be about supporting the applicant, not putting anyone else down. Keep it positive and factual.
Avoid rumors or gossip: Stick to what you know for sure. If you don’t have firsthand knowledge, don’t include it.
Avoid exaggerations: Be honest about the situation. Exaggerating can make your letter less credible. The best way to write a supportive letter is to be truthful and provide specific examples.
Avoid anything you are not sure about: Don’t guess or speculate about things you don’t know. It’s okay to say, “I don’t have specific information about…” if you don’t know the answer.
Putting it All Together
Writing a letter of support can be a meaningful way to help someone get the food assistance they need. By including your contact information, clearly explaining your relationship to the applicant, providing details about their situation, and showing how they are affected, you can create a helpful letter that can assist the food stamp office in their decision. Your letter will add extra support, so they can help make sure that everyone has enough to eat. Now that you know how to write a letter, you can hopefully help the applicant get the support they need.