It is required that you meet the food stamps income limit, in order to be approved of EBT food stamps benefits. This article will provide you with detailed information about the Food Stamps Income limit 2020, as the income test is considered as one of the most important criteria you meet in order to be eligible. Furthermore, you shall also see how to calculate the gross income and net income amounts for your household.
Based on the Food Stamps Income limit 2020, your household must meet both the gross and net income limits outlined below. If not, you will not be eligible for SNAP and also cannot receive benefits.
What Is The Food Stamps Income limit 2020?
The Food Stamps Income limit test is required for all households applying for food stamps. Unless all members are receiving TANF, SSI, or some other form of cash assistance from the federal or state government state.
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The tables below provide the monthly income eligibility standards for FY 2019 (effective October 1, 2018, through September 30, 2019).
What deductions are allowed in SNAP?
Below are the deductions that are allowed to arrive at your net monthly income number:
- A 20-percent deduction from earned income.
- A standard deduction of $164 for household sizes of 1 to 3 people and $174 for a household size of 4 (higher for some larger households and for households in Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam).
- A dependent care deduction when needed for work, training, or education.
- Medical expenses for elderly or disabled members that are more than $35 for the month if they are not paid by insurance or someone else. This is described on the elderly and disabled page.
- In some States, legally owed child support payments.
- In some States, a standard shelter deduction for homeless households of $143.
How to Calculate SNAP Gross And Net Monthly Income
Having known the Food Stamps Income limit 2020 and the deductions that are allowed, let’s proceed to how you can calculate your gross and net 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, to 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. |
ALSO SEE: Food Stamps Calculator To Know How Much Food Stamps You Will Receive
How much Food Stamp will I receive?
Having seen the food stamps income limit for 2020, 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 an 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 |
I strongly believe that you have now known all the income requirements for food stamps or SNAP. Therefor if you qualify for food stamps and want to apply, read this article on the food stamp application guide or follow the detailed instructions below to apply for the food assistance program or SNAP/Food Stamps.
How to Apply for Food Stamps /SNAP Benefits
There are many ways you can apply for food stamps in your state. There are some documents and information which are required in order to complete the application form. They include:
- Social Security Number
- Date of birth.
- Income information such as job, child support or any other sources.
- Resource or asset information such as bank accounts (checking, savings accounts), vehicles, homes, land or life insurance.
- Housing expenses such as rent or utilities.
- Health insurance information.
Food Stamps Application Guide
Provided you have all the required information, you can apply by following any of the options below.
Option 1: Online Application
The first option is to apply online. Here, you will have visit your state department website that administers food stamps and set up an online profile to apply for benefits online.
SEE ALSO: How To Check My Food Stamp Application Status
Option 2: Apply In-Person at State Department Office or Center
You can also apply for benefits in person at one of your state Department service centers that are in charge of administering Snap benefits. You can check here for the Food Stamp office location or center.
Option 4: Mail or Fax
An applicant who wishes to follow this option needs to download a paper application and fill it up and mail it to any food stamp office close to him. Ensure you download the right form, and once you have completed it with your information as required, you can proceed to mail the application.
For further inquiries regarding the Food Stamps Income limit 2020, kindly use the comments section below to let us know.
