By my estimation you get like 550 a month right? That is not bad. Go get a second job or ask for more hours at work. 20 hours is nothing!
You can apply online for food stamps and Medicaid here: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/public-ass...
One important question they will ask is whether you "purchase and prepare" your food with your great-grandparents or separately. If you buy and make your meals together, you'll be considered one household for food stamp purposes, and your great-grandparents' income will need to be counted in your household income. If you buy and eat separately (you can sit together at the table, but you eat your food and they eat theirs), then only your income will be looked at.
They aren't going to care that you have a cat to feed or a gym membership. Only your income and resources (like savings and property) will count. Since your income is low and you don't work many hours, you could be eligible for some food stamps. Since you are working, you will have to report your weekly hours every month and the amount of food stamps you get will be based on the previous month's income.
It is worth your while to apply. You won't get anything if you don't apply, obviously. You have nothing to lose by applying. Also, you will need to have health insurance come January and you may be able to get it for free through Medicaid. It's the same application for both.
While you can apply for foodstamps, you may not qualify. When you live with family members, the system looks at the income of everyone in the house, not just you.
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/services/s...
HUH? Of course you aren't eligible for food stamps.
It's your responsibility to get a job with the working hours that you need to support yourself. Failure to do so, does not mean you are eligible to get welfare benefits.
I just turned 18 and I live in Maine. I have a job and I get paid $7.75 an hour and work 14-20 hours a week. I have to pay for my own food, phone bill, gas, gym membership, cat litter/food and other little things and save for my own car. Do you think I can get it? I have my GED and live with my great grandparents, who are going to start charging me rent too.
