Below you will receive a step-by-step guide about how to use the Food stamps Application and Screening Tool(F.A.S.T.) to assist people in determining potential eligiblity and to apply for food stamps. If you would like to learn about some of the advanced administrative functions of F.A.S.T or about how to install F.A.S.T onto your computer, click here now.

Remember, a client doesn't need to be screened to apply for the Food Stamp Program, nor do they have to completely fill out the food stamp application. To complete the application, they need only complete their name, address and signature.

Additionally, if a client is believed to be eligible for Emergency Food Stamps, you should assist them to proceed to the appropriate food stamp office immediately.

If entering a new client, press Add (amongst the bottom buttons). The following will be an explanation of the FAST features, tab by tab. The "Add" with an angel icon is for the people answering calls from the statewide information line. From this page, you may also edit, print or sort files for clients or multiple clients. You may also select Reports button to create a report.

Contact Information: Start with this first section and fill out all boxes on this form. If there are some notes you want to make about the client, you can type in the Client History box. NOTE ABOUT SSN: We advise that you only use this box on a computer that has encryption. “Release of information” should be checked off ONLY if there is a signed release form on file. The “Referred by” box should contain information about how the client learned about this service.

1b. Household: This page automatically tells the screener, from information entered in 1a., which household members will not be automatically excluded from the food stamp household.

Expenses: Some of this information will be used to determine eligibility and other information is not needed to determine eligibility, but to make determine amount of the benefit. Therefore it is in the client's best interest to provide information about rent, utility, childcare, medical and other costs. If your client has their documents available that demonstrate these expenses, help them to photocopy them in preparation for their application.

Results: This screen will give you a range of possible benefit amounts. Please follow the provided script that will appear for the following categories: Potentially eligible, Not Likely Eligible, and Emergency Food Stamps. For example, screeners tell clients who are not likely eligible that based on their information, they might not be eligible; however, they may still apply. Screeners also are directed to recommend to certain clients that they go to the Food Stamps office immediately to apply for Expedited Food Stamps.

Info: Only fill this out if the client wishes to complete the Part A1 of the application with you or if your organization is interested in keeping demographic data.

Assistance: This form helps to inform the client about their next steps and to track the outcome of the screening.

Assistance Provided: Identifies what kind of assistance the client was provided from the screening assistant; please check off appropriate boxes.

Referral: Based on the zip code given, this screen will tell you which office the client should go to. If you would like your local data to be available here, please enter information in the Setup page (On the Start page, where you see FAST in blue and black letters, click on Setup – where you will be able to enter in local data.)

If the client is receiving an application from you, press the Print button. This function will allow the application to be printed according to the language identified in 5.3. (Printing only available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese. If you had identified another language, FAST will print in English.) Counties WILL accept these forms in different languages. IF a county does not accept or does not set the application date correctly (when they receive it), then please notify CAFB at Jessica@cafoodbanks.org and legal aid organizations in your county. 

Press Close if you are sending the client to the office to apply on his/her own. “Close” will allow you to come back to the Menu page to add another client.        

The Follow-up Page: This page offers a place for you to make notes upon following up with applicants. Press Close if you are sending the client to the office to apply on his/her own. “Close” will allow you to come back to the Menu page to add another client.