I am 51 years old and I started getting my social security disability benefits. I would like to know if I can apply for food stamps because I am not making it also I want to know if I can get a job. I worked for almost 20 years for the school district but I came disabled I know I can not do what I used to do b u t I am not making it to survive my income is just what I worked during my life with not family in America. Can I travel to South America to visit my elderly father ? Can I move to other country and continue getting my benefits? Thank you very much

Hi,

I'm not an expert on the food stamp program, but I believe your eligibility would depend on your income level. You may want to try using the screening tool on the USDA's website: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligibility.

You can generally work and earn up to $1170 per month without losing Social Security disability benefits. For more detailed information, refer to this Social Security publication: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10095.pdf.

How travelling or taking up residence in another country would affect your benefits depends on which country you go to, your length of stay, and your citizenship. For more information, refer to this Social Security publication: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10137.pdf.

Best, Jerry