Do you know that the income test is the most important criteria before you will be eligible for EBT food stamps? So, you have to meet the food stamps income limit before you will be approved for the benefits. This article shall provide you with the income limit for 2018, and as well walk you through and guide you on how to calculate the gross income and net income amounts for your household.
What Is The Food Stamps Income limit 2018?
It is required that all households applying for food stamps must pass through the income test. Except that all members are receiving TANF, SSI, or some other form of cash assistance from the federal government or state.
Furthermore, most households must meet both the gross and net income tests, but some have to meet the net income test. This is in the case of a household with an elderly person or a person who is receiving certain types of disability payments.
SEE ALSO: 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
The Food Stamps Income limit 2018 information provided in the table below applies to households in the 48 contiguous States and the District of Columbia that apply for SNAP between October 1, 2017, through September 30, 2018.
Food Stamps Income limit 2018 Table
| Household Size | Gross monthly income
(130 percent of poverty) |
Net monthly income
(100 percent of poverty) |
| 1 | $1,307 | $ 1,005 |
| 2 | $1,760 | $1,354 |
| 3 | $2,213 | $1,702 |
| 4 | $2,665 | $2,050 |
| 5 | $3,118 | $2,399 |
| 6 | $3,571 | $2,747 |
| 7 | $4,024 | $3,095 |
| 8 | $4,477 | $3,444 |
| Each additional member | +$453 | +$349 |
It might interest you to know that the following deductions are allowed for SNAP.
How to Calculate SNAP Gross Income
Just as you have to know the income limits and as well what deductions are allowed to arrive at your net monthly income, you can see below, how to calculate your gross monthly and net monthly income.
How to Calculate SNAP Gross Income
| Gross Income Calculation | Example |
| Determine household size . . . | 4 people with no elderly or disabled members. |
| Add gross monthly income . . . | $1,500 earned income + $550 social security = $2,050 gross income. |
| If gross monthly income is less than the limit for household size, determine net income. | $2,050 is less than the $2,665 allowed for a 4-person household, so determine net income. |
How to Calculate SNAP Net Income
| Net Income Calculation | Example |
| Subtract 20% earned income deduction . . . | $2,050 gross income
$1,500 earned income x 20% = $300. $2,050 – $300 = $1,750 |
| Subtract standard deduction . . . | $1,750 – $170 standard deduction for a 4-person household = $1,580 |
| Subtract dependent care deduction . . . | $1,580 – $361 dependent care = $1,219 |
| Subtract child support deduction . . . | 0 |
| Subtract medical costs over $35 for elderly and disabled . . . | 0 |
| Excess shelter deduction . . . | |
| Determine half of the adjusted income . . . | $1,219 adjusted income/2 = $609.50 |
| Determine if shelter costs are more than half of adjusted income . . . | $700 total shelter – $609 (half of income) = $90 excess shelter cost |
| Subtract excess amount, but not more than the limit, from adjusted income . . . | $1,219 – $90.50 = $1,128.50 Net monthly income |
| Apply the net income test . . . | Since the net monthly income is less than $2,050 allowed for a 4-person household, the household has met the income test. |
How much Food Stamp will I receive?
Having seen the food stamps income limit for 2018, below are how much you may receive in food stamps if you are approved for benefits. The total amount of SNAP benefits your household gets each month is called an allotment.
SNAP Maximum Monthly Allotment Based on Household Size
| People in Household | Maximum Monthly Allotment |
| 1 | $ 192 |
| 2 | $ 352 |
| 3 | $ 504 |
| 4 | $ 640 |
| 5 | $ 760 |
| 6 | $ 913 |
| 7 | $ 1,009 |
| 8 | $ 1,153 |
| Each additional person | $ 144 |
Note: The allotments stated here are for households in the 48 contiguous States and the District of Columbia. The allotments are different in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Check below for example of SNAP Benefit Calculation
| Benefit Calculation | Example |
| Multiply net income by 30%… (Roundup) | $1,128.50 net monthly income x 0.3 = 338.55 (round up to $339) |
| Subtract 30% of net income from the maximum allotment for the household size… | $640 maximum allotment for 4-person household – $339 (30% of net income) = $301, SNAP Allotment for a full month |
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