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Food insecurity is a real problem in the U.S. Here’s how to know if your household qualifies for food assistance this year. [[{“value”:”
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The amount of money your household spends on groceries each month depends on factors such as how many people you feed and where you live. However, new census data shows that the average American household spends about $270 weekly on groceries. That’s nearly $1,200 per month.
If that amount is out of reach for your bank account, you may be interested in learning more about what it takes to be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in 2024. Eligibility varies by state, but the following information released by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities provides a good overview.
How eligibility is determined
According to federal guidelines, to be eligible for SNAP benefits, a household’s personal finances must meet these three tests.
Gross monthly income
This is how much you earn before taxes and other deductions are taken out. Generally, gross monthly income must be at or below 130% of the poverty line. For example, in 2024, the poverty line used to calculate SNAP benefits for a family of three is $2,072 monthly. 130% is $2,694 a month, or $32,328 a year. The poverty line is higher for larger families and smaller for smaller families. Note: SNAP considers income from all sources, including earned income, cash assistance, Social Security, unemployment, and child support.
Net income
This is the amount you earn after taxes and other deductions are taken out. Net income must be at or below the poverty line. So, if the poverty line for a family of three is $2,072 monthly, your net income must be $2,072 monthly or less if you have a family of three. Again, the line is higher for larger families and smaller for smaller families.
Assets
This is the resources you have available to purchase food, such as money in bank accounts. Any household without a member aged 60 or older or with a disability must have assets of $2,750 or less. Households that include a person age 60 or older or someone with a disability must have assets of $4,250 or less. Note: Items like your home, personal property, and retirement savings do not count as assets.
Who is not eligible?
There are some categories of people who are not eligible for SNAP benefits, regardless of income or assets. They include:
Individuals on strikeUndocumented immigrantsSome students attending college more than half timeSome people with drug-related felony convictions (in some states)
Further, in many areas of the U.S., adults aged 18 to 52 who don’t have children in the home and do not have disabilities are limited to three months of SNAP benefits every three years unless they are working or in a work training program for at least 20 hours per week. Exemptions may include those who live with children in the home, those determined to be physically or mentally unfit for work, and pregnant individuals.
SNAP benefits by household size for 2024
The important role deductions play
There’s more to SNAP eligibility than meets the eye. For example, whether you’re eligible is not determined until all deductions are subtracted from your sources of income. They include:
Standard deduction: Takes into account basic unavoidable expensesEarnings deduction: Equal to 20% of your earningsDependent care deduction: The out-of-pocket money you pay for child care or other dependent care expensesChild support deduction: For child support a household member is legally obligated to payMedical expense deduction: For out-of-pocket medical expenses over $35 a month for a household member who is an older adult or has a disabilityExcess shelter deduction: For housing costs that exceed half of a household’s net income after all other deductions
In other words, don’t simply look at 2024 income limits and assume you don’t qualify for benefits. You can’t know for sure until you’ve also subtracted all eligible deductions. In the meantime, your local human services office can help you determine whether you’re eligible for SNAP this year.
To find your state’s website and contact information, check out this helpful map.And if you have an immediate need for food assistance, you can find a local food bank here.
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