Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Food is a basic necessity that impacts on many aspects of human survival. However, not everyone is lucky enough to have a constant and consistent supply of food.
Statistics show that one in eight American households with children struggles to put enough food on the table. 1 While average families may already find it hard to make ends meet, the challenge is much harder for single parents.
To mitigate the effects of poverty, the U.S. federal government initiated the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The aim is to provide affordable and nutritionally adequate diet to the low- to no income families; protecting them from hardship and hunger.
SNAP helps million low-income Americans put sufficient food on the table. 2 As the modern alternative to the Food Stamp Program, SNAP is a long way from its original structure.
Before, color-coded coupons were distributed to beneficiaries. Now, the assistance comes in the form of a debit card known as Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), which is loaded with benefits once a month and can be used to purchase grocery items in any participating store within their locality.
Am I eligible for SNAP?
Eligibility for SNAP is based on family income and whether or not it is composed of members with disabilities or seniors. Once the income requirement is met, household size and gross income (adjusted) are the next factors for consideration.
SNAP rules limit eligibility to households with gross income no more than 130% of poverty and net income at or below 100% of poverty.
For a family of three, this works out to $2,797 in gross monthly income and $2,152 in net monthly income. These limits are higher in Alaska and Hawai’i. 3
You may be eligible SNAP benefits if you are:
- Unemployed;
- Working for low wages or working part-time;
- Receiving welfare or other public assistance payments;
- Elderly or disabled and are low-income; or
- Homeless.
Use SNAP’s pre-screening tool or our SNAP calculator to see if you are eligible for SNAP benefits. When you begin using the tool, you will answer some questions which the tool uses to determine your eligibility and estimate the amount of benefits you might get.
Some states may have their own pre-screening tools for SNAP eligibility. If you live in one of those states, the system will automatically direct you to the state’s pre-screening tool.
SNAP Eligibility by State
The table below shows the updated income and asset limit for each state, including the District of Columbia. In most states, there is no limit on resources for people under the income limit.
In some of these, the asset limits have been adjusted for most households to $3,000 and $4,500 for households where at least one person is age 60 or older, or is disabled.
| STATE | ELIGIBILITY | INCOME | ASSET |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 130% | $33,566 | — |
| Alaska | 130% | $38,597 | $3,000* |
| Arizona | 185% | $47,767 | — |
| Arkansas | 130% | $33,566 | $3,000* |
| California | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| Colorado | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| Connecticut | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| Delaware | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| District of Columbia | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| Florida | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| Georgia | 130% | $33,566 | — |
| Hawai’i | 200% | $59,380 | — |
| Idaho | 130% | $33,566 | $5,000 |
| Illinois | 165% | $42,603 | — |
| Indiana | 130% | $33,566 | $5,000 |
| Iowa | 160% | $41,312 | — |
| Kansas | 130% | $33,566 | $3,000* |
| Kentucky | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| Louisiana | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| Maine | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| Maryland | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| Massachusetts | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| Michigan | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| Minnesota | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| Mississippi | 130% | $33,566 | $3,000* |
| Missouri | 130% | $33,566 | $3,000* |
| Montana | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| Nebraska | 165% | $42,603 | $25,000 |
| Nevada | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| New Hampshire | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| New Jersey | 185% | $47,767 | — |
| New Mexico | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| New York | 150% | $38,730 | $3,000* |
| North Carolina | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| North Dakota | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| Ohio | 130% | $33,566 | — |
| Oklahoma | 130% | $33,566 | — |
| Oregon | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| Pennsylvania | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| Rhode Island | 185% | $47,767 | — |
| South Carolina | 130% | $33,566 | — |
| South Dakota | 130% | $33,566 | $3,000* |
| Tennessee | 130% | $33,566 | $3,000* |
| Texas | 165% | $42,603 | $5,000 |
| Utah | 130% | $33,566 | $3,000* |
| Vermont | 185% | $47,767 | — |
| Virginia | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| Washington | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| West Virginia | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| Wisconsin | 200% | $51,640 | — |
| Wyoming | 130% | $33,566 | $3,000* |
SNAP Benefits
The maximum amount of SNAP benefits is based on the Thrifty Food Plan, an estimate by the U.S. Department of Agriculture of how much it costs to buy “healthy food” for a family of two adults and two children.
The maximum SNAP benefit is the same for all counties in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C, and is adjusted higher for Alaska and Hawai’i. 4
| Household Size | Alaska | Hawai’i | 48 States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $377 | $517 | $292 |
| 2 | $692 | $948 | $536 |
| 3 | $991 | $1,357 | $768 |
| 4 | $1,258 | $1,723 | $975 |
| 5 | $1,494 | $2,046 | $1,158 |
| 6 | $1,793 | $2,456 | $1,390 |
| 7 | $1,982 | $2,714 | $1,536 |
| 8 | $2,265 | $3,102 | $1,756 |
The actual SNAP benefit amounts are based on a household’s net income with a general rule that an increase of $100 in net income results in a reduction of $30 in benefits.
How much could I receive in SNAP benefits?
The actual amount of SNAP benefit you will get is the maximum allotment for your household size, minus 30% of your household’s net monthly income.
Because SNAP households are expected to spend about 30% of their own resources on food, your SNAP allotment is calculated by multiplying your household’s net monthly income by 0.3 and subtracting the result from the maximum monthly allotment for your household size.
For example, a household of three with a net monthly income of $1,000, after certain deductions are applied, would get a SNAP allotment of about $468.
What deductions are allowed in SNAP?
- A 20-percent deduction from earned income.
- A standard deduction of $204 for household sizes of 1 to 3 people or $217, $254, and $291 for households with four, five, and six or more members, respectively.
- A dependent care deduction for out-of-pocket child care when needed for work, training, or education.
- Medical expense deduction for out-of-pocket medical expenses greater than $35 a month for elderly or disabled members
- Excess shelter deduction set at the amount by which the household’s housing costs exceed half of its net income after all other deductions.
- In some states, legally owed child support payments.
Can I get SNAP if I’m unemployed?
As a condition of eligibility, anyone applying for SNAP benefits are required by law to render several hours of work-related services to the SNAP Employment and Training Program. The activities vary according to the needs of applicants.
Such activities include, but not limited to,
- Enrolment in a secondary education program
- Search for employment
- Community Service
- On-the-job Training
- Actual employment
All of these only serve to provide temporary support until applicants are capable of independently providing for their families.
The law also requires all able-bodied adults recipients ages 18—54 without dependents (ABAWDs) to meet special work requirements. Otherwise, receipt of benefits is limited to no more than 3 months during a 36-month period.
How do I apply for SNAP?
Each state designs its own SNAP application process. In most states, you must fill out an application and return it to a local SNAP office, either in person, by mail, or by fax. 5
After your application is filed, the SNAP office will review your information, conduct an interview, and determine your eligibility for SNAP. If you’re signed up for the program, and you’ll receive an EBT card in the mail with your SNAP benefits for the month.
If you’re application is denied, you have the right to ask why. You can appeal the decision if you don’t agree or feel an error was made and request for a “fair hearing” with a state employee at the SNAP office.
FOOD STAMP FRAUD HOTLINE
(800) 424-9121