Requirements to apply for the Nutrition Assistance Program (PAN)

El Nutrition Assistance Program Supplementary or as it is popularly known PAN, is a social program focused on providing nutritional aid to the Puerto Rican population. This help is delivered through the Family Card, as part of a federal aid program that aims to help families purchase food.

For this purpose, it is granted one card per family, containing an amount of money adjusted to cover part of the food needs. This program is also known as “The coupons”, This is because they have similarity in their operation; with a process that existed before the existence of the physical card, which is where payments are currently processed.

What is the Nutrition Assistance Program?

It is a certification through which financial aid or support is granted, that the Puerto Rican federal government grants to families with limited economic resources. The purpose of this program is for those families who they cannot stay fed properly, have the opportunity to do so, even if they are going through difficult situations due to their economy.

In the process of issuing the Family Cards, is directly involved Family Socioeconomic Development Administration of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

How to apply for the PAN?

The first thing to do is fill out the PAN prequalification application, for which it is necessary to carry out the required steps, either:

Call Us

By calling the State Office at the telephone number: (787) 991- 0101 al 787-289-1199 or to the number 3-1-1. This is a telephone line, specially created to make inquiries about any questions about the benefits of Family Card and the PAN Program, such as to make the prequalification request through a representative.

By Internet

If you are wondering how to order bread online in Puerto Rico, the answer is simple! You can do so by entering through the following link.

https://serviciosenlinea.adsef.pr.gov/adsefdigital/Security/Login.aspx.

For those who have difficulty following the steps taken through the link, you can see a explanatory video tutorial with clear and precise instructions on how to open an account to handle matters related to the Family Card, accessing the following link: https://servicios.adsef.pr.gov/videos/VID-20211005.mp4.

Through a letter from the employer

La pattern letter must be submitted to request program aid PAN (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), it must be duly signed by the employer or by the authorized person in the company.

Through the PAN website

1. Enter the page of the Administration of Socio-economic Development of the Family known as ADSEF: https://servicios.adsef.pr.gov.
2. Locate the PAN/TANF Certificate icon, located in the upper left part of the online services on the main screen.
3. The system will request certain precautions to enter the system, they are:
4. Social Security number.
5. Paternal name and surname.
6. Validation code, which is placed according to the image.
7. Indicate the language with which you want to carry out the procedure.
8. The verify button is pressed.
9. Follow the recommended steps and press the options that correspond to the PAN Certificate.
10. Finally, the certificate is printed or saved.

via phone call

Dialing the number (787) 289-76-32 and 1 (800) 981-80-56, it is possible to request the Nutrition Assistance Program Certificate (PAN).

If the call is not answered at the previous number, there is the other option which is to call: 1 (877) 911-01-01, which is a direct number of the Family Department.

In person

1. The first thing to do is locate the Family Department office, which is traditional near the applicant's home.
2. Then attend office hours, which have been previously indicated.
3. It is necessary to present a letter of explanation of reason, which clearly states why you wish to obtain the PAN benefit.
4. Another important point is to follow the suggestions and instructions of the authorized personnel (for issuing the application), once the application has been verified (by the applicant) and if they agree, they sign it and the document is ready.
5. Wait for the indicated date to find out if the application for the Nutrition Assistance Program Certificate (PAN) was processed.

It is extremely important to highlight that the in person, It is exclusively for people who have inconveniences (health or mobility), or that they do not have the necessary tools to process it digitally (online), or by telephone.

Requirements to request the PAN

Among the requirements demanded of Puerto Rican citizens, the following documents can be mentioned to request the PAN:

1. Possess an identification document with a photo of the beneficiary.
2. A document or invoice indicating the address where the applicant resides.
3. Present the social security number of your family members with your personal information.
4. Fill out employment records for people ages 21 to 50 years old.
5. Present a personal identification document that validates the age of minor boys and girls.
6. A document evidencing the economic difficulty.
7. Present a balance of family income, of all the financial resources received.
8. If a family member has a disability, a document validating it must be presented.
9. Family students up to age 59 must present a document proving it.

See >> Income table to qualify for the PAN 2023

Requirements for Foreign Citizens

In the case of being foreign citizens and you want to know how to request the coupons, the requirements that apply are the following:

1. Submit a legal document where nationality is accredited, it may be: birth certificate, passport or a court resolution, which indicates the citizenship of the applicant.
2. Present legal evidence where specified, the status of foreigner being the same manifested in the forms: I-151, I-551 or I-94.

Who can apply for the PAN?

All those families or individuals, which due to lack or very limited income (in proportion to the number of people in the family group), prove to be eligible to participate in the PAN Program.

What are the benefits offered by the PAN?

Food assistance

Through the different government social programs that are part of the PAN, which guarantee citizens and mainly low-income families, have basic and nutritious foods.

Immediate help to get food

If a citizen or a family needs food immediately It can:

• Call the National Hunger Hotline at: 1-877-842-6273 (press 3 for Spanish). This line is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm (Eastern Time).
• Contact community or religious organizations in the area.

Changes to SNAP and other food programs due to COVID-19 pandemic

Possibly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, It may be easier for citizens and families to apply for food stamps as well as participate in government meal programs. It is necessary that interested parties contact some Local Social Services Office in your state: https://www.usa.gov/state-social-services (information and page available only in English), to find out if you are eligible.

During the pandemic

1. Food stamp (SNAP) recipients may receive supplemental funds.
2. Parents can pick up school meals for their children to eat at home.
3. People can enroll in food programs remotely, rather than applying in person. This applies only to programs: for pregnant women, families, seniors and people with disabilities.

Read about these and other changes to government meal programs implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic (in English ), through the following link: https://www.fns.usda.gov/disaster/pandemic/covid-19/resources-individuals-families.

Food Stamp Program (SNAP)

It is possible to receive help to buy basic foods, requesting it through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (available only in English) or SNAP (acronym in English), this program is also popularly known as the “Food stamps.” This is a program of federal government assistance especially for people with limited resources.

WIC Program for Women, Infants and Children

El Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), is short-term aid focused on the delivery of food, nutritional education, access to social and health services, for low-income pregnant women, mothers with nursing babies, infants and children up to 5 years of age.

Free school meal programs

The Government has several programs that offer healthy foods and meals, aimed at children in school, daycare centers and after-school programs.

Food programs for older adults

Most states offer the following food programs for low-income seniors:

• Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP, acronym in English): Here, coupons are offered to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey at farmers markets, roadside stands, and community farms.
• Supplemental Commodities Program (CSFP)- A monthly package with nutritious food is provided (information and page in English).

What is the maximum income to qualify for the PAN?

To qualify for the PAN program in Puerto Rico, households must have net income below certain thresholds, depending on family size. Households participating in the PAN must have assets of $5,000 or less (or $15,000 for households with older adults), although most of these households probably already have assets below these limits.

How to add a participant to the PAN?

El family or legal representative, you must present the following:

Authorization letter containing:

• The date.
• The full name of the beneficiary.
• The residential address.
• The social security of the person in charge of the service.

The letter must clearly state that that other person is being authorized, to carry out the procedure on behalf of the beneficiary.

How to notify a change in PAN?

To inform about changes or updates, it is necessary that the beneficiary, the person in charge of the service, his or her spouse or authorized representative, personally attend some Local office (It is recommended to be the one closest to the home.), to schedule an appointment.

the beneficiary You must report any changes, within diez (10) business days from the date where the change occurs.

Changes that must be notified

1. Change in family composition.
2. Change in source of income.
3. Gross monthly income greater than one hundred dollars ($100.00).
4. Expenses greater than one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the care of minors or dependents with physical or mental limitations.
5. Service Core Resources.
6. Expenses for ongoing medical treatment.
7. Student status.

Fonts

https://www.usa.gov/

https://servicios.adsef.pr.gov.

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