Shouldn't I be more qualified for government help?

I am 26 years old and I take care of my autistic brother. Me and several other women were laid off after last summer from the school cafeteria we were working at and I have been unable to find any other job. I've been attending college full time. I had to apply for a student loan. We are now trying to live off my brother's disability check. We used to get about 300 dollars in food stamps, but when they asked if I was attending college full time and I told them "yes", they told me that I wasn't qualified for food stamps! They said I had to have a job. They told me if I did not have a job, but was not attending school either, I would still qualify. What's the sense in that? I'm going to college so I can get a good job and not have to rely on them anymore. And they refuse to help me. My brother's check is barely enough to pay our bills, we are lucky to have 10 dollars left over. I'm extremely frugal with electricity, we don't even use a heater, although it has been cold. Can anyone tell me what I should do? Any way I can appeal this?