Kentucky SNAP Benefits Estimator
Use this calculator to get an estimated idea of your potential monthly SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits in Kentucky. Please note that this is an estimate based on common federal and Kentucky SNAP rules and should not be considered a guarantee of eligibility or benefit amount. Actual benefits are determined by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services after a full application and interview process.
Understanding SNAP Benefits in Kentucky
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, helps low-income individuals and families purchase nutritious food. In Kentucky, SNAP is administered by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS).
Key Eligibility Factors:
- Income Limits: Your household's gross and net monthly income must generally be below certain federal poverty levels. Most households must pass both a gross income test (130% of FPL) and a net income test (100% of FPL). Households with an elderly (age 60+) or disabled member only need to meet the net income test.
- Household Size: The number of people living and eating together in your household affects both income limits and maximum benefit amounts.
- Residency: You must be a resident of Kentucky.
- Citizenship/Immigration Status: You must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
- Work Requirements: Most able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) must meet certain work requirements, though there are exemptions.
How Benefits Are Calculated (Simplified):
SNAP benefit calculations are complex, but generally involve these steps:
- Gross Income Test: Your household's total gross income (before deductions) is compared to a limit based on household size.
- Deductions: Certain expenses are deducted from your gross income to arrive at your net income. Common deductions include:
- Standard Deduction: A fixed amount based on household size.
- Earned Income Deduction: 20% of your gross earned income.
- Dependent Care Deduction: Costs for care of a child or incapacitated adult if necessary for work or training.
- Medical Expense Deduction: For elderly (60+) or disabled household members, medical expenses exceeding $35 per month.
- Shelter Deduction: The amount of shelter costs (rent/mortgage, property taxes, home insurance, utilities) that exceeds 50% of your income after all other deductions. This deduction is capped for most households but uncapped for households with an elderly or disabled member.
- Net Income Test: Your household's net income (after deductions) is compared to a lower limit based on household size.
- Benefit Calculation: If eligible, your monthly benefit is generally calculated by taking the maximum benefit for your household size and subtracting 30% of your net income.
Important Disclaimer:
This calculator provides an estimate only. It does not guarantee eligibility or the amount of benefits you may receive. Many factors can influence actual SNAP benefits, and the rules can change. For an accurate determination, you must apply directly with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. You can apply online through kynect.ky.gov or visit your local CHFS office.
.snap-calculator-container {
font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif;
max-width: 700px;
margin: 20px auto;
padding: 25px;
background-color: #f9f9f9;
border-radius: 10px;
box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
color: #333;
}
.snap-calculator-container h2 {
color: #2c3e50;
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 25px;
font-size: 1.8em;
}
.snap-calculator-container h3 {
color: #34495e;
margin-top: 30px;
margin-bottom: 15px;
font-size: 1.4em;
}
.snap-calculator-container p {
line-height: 1.6;
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.calculator-form .form-group {
margin-bottom: 18px;
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
}
.calculator-form label {
margin-bottom: 8px;
font-weight: bold;
color: #555;
font-size: 0.95em;
}
.calculator-form input[type="number"] {
padding: 12px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 6px;
font-size: 1em;
width: 100%;
box-sizing: border-box;
transition: border-color 0.3s ease;
}
.calculator-form input[type="number"]:focus {
border-color: #007bff;
outline: none;
box-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(0, 123, 255, 0.2);
}
.calculator-form .checkbox-group {
flex-direction: row;
align-items: center;
}
.calculator-form .checkbox-group input[type="checkbox"] {
margin-right: 10px;
width: auto;
transform: scale(1.2);
}
.calculator-form .checkbox-group label {
margin-bottom: 0;
font-weight: normal;
}
.snap-calculator-container button {
display: block;
width: 100%;
padding: 14px 20px;
background-color: #28a745;
color: white;
border: none;
border-radius: 6px;
font-size: 1.1em;
font-weight: bold;
cursor: pointer;
transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.2s ease;
margin-top: 25px;
}
.snap-calculator-container button:hover {
background-color: #218838;
transform: translateY(-1px);
}
.calculator-result {
margin-top: 30px;
padding: 20px;
background-color: #e9f7ef;
border: 1px solid #d4edda;
border-radius: 8px;
text-align: center;
font-size: 1.1em;
color: #155724;
}
.calculator-result h3 {
color: #155724;
margin-top: 0;
font-size: 1.5em;
}
.calculator-result p {
margin-bottom: 0;
}
.calculator-result strong {
color: #0056b3;
font-size: 1.2em;
}
.snap-info ul {
list-style-type: disc;
margin-left: 20px;
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.snap-info ol {
list-style-type: decimal;
margin-left: 20px;
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.snap-info li {
margin-bottom: 8px;
line-height: 1.5;
}
.snap-info a {
color: #007bff;
text-decoration: none;
}
.snap-info a:hover {
text-decoration: underline;
}
function calculateSNAPBenefits() {
// 1. Get Input Values
var householdSize = parseFloat(document.getElementById("householdSize").value);
var grossEarnedIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById("grossEarnedIncome").value);
var grossUnearnedIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById("grossUnearnedIncome").value);
var dependentCareCosts = parseFloat(document.getElementById("dependentCareCosts").value);
var medicalExpenses = parseFloat(document.getElementById("medicalExpenses").value);
var rentMortgage = parseFloat(document.getElementById("rentMortgage").value);
var propertyTaxes = parseFloat(document.getElementById("propertyTaxes").value);
var homeInsurance = parseFloat(document.getElementById("homeInsurance").value);
var utilityCosts = parseFloat(document.getElementById("utilityCosts").value);
var isElderlyDisabled = document.getElementById("isElderlyDisabled").checked;
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(householdSize) || householdSize < 1 ||
isNaN(grossEarnedIncome) || grossEarnedIncome < 0 ||
isNaN(grossUnearnedIncome) || grossUnearnedIncome < 0 ||
isNaN(dependentCareCosts) || dependentCareCosts < 0 ||
isNaN(medicalExpenses) || medicalExpenses < 0 ||
isNaN(rentMortgage) || rentMortgage < 0 ||
isNaN(propertyTaxes) || propertyTaxes < 0 ||
isNaN(homeInsurance) || homeInsurance < 0 ||
isNaN(utilityCosts) || utilityCosts 8, add $219 per person
if (householdSize > 8) {
maxBenefits[householdSize] = maxBenefits[8] + (householdSize – 8) * 219;
}
var earnedIncomeDeductionRate = 0.20;
var medicalExpenseThreshold = 35;
var shelterDeductionCap = 672; // For non-elderly/disabled households
// 3. Calculate Gross Monthly Income (GMI)
var gmi = grossEarnedIncome + grossUnearnedIncome;
// 4. Calculate Deductions
var earnedDeduction = grossEarnedIncome * earnedIncomeDeductionRate;
// Get standard deduction based on household size, capping at 6+ person amount
var standardDeduction = standardDeductions[Math.min(householdSize, 6)] || standardDeductions[6];
var medicalDeduction = 0;
if (isElderlyDisabled && medicalExpenses > medicalExpenseThreshold) {
medicalDeduction = medicalExpenses – medicalExpenseThreshold;
}
var dependentCareDeduction = dependentCareCosts; // Use actual costs for calculator
var totalShelterCosts = rentMortgage + propertyTaxes + homeInsurance + utilityCosts;
// Calculate Net Income Before Shelter Deduction
var netIncomeBeforeShelter = gmi – earnedDeduction – standardDeduction – dependentCareDeduction – medicalDeduction;
// Calculate Excess Shelter Costs
var excessShelterCosts = Math.max(0, totalShelterCosts – (netIncomeBeforeShelter * 0.50));
// Apply Shelter Deduction Cap
var shelterDeduction = excessShelterCosts;
if (!isElderlyDisabled && shelterDeduction > shelterDeductionCap) {
shelterDeduction = shelterDeductionCap;
}
// 5. Calculate Net Monthly Income (NMI)
var nmi = gmi – earnedDeduction – standardDeduction – dependentCareDeduction – medicalDeduction – shelterDeduction;
// 6. Calculate Benefit Amount
var maxBenefitForHousehold = maxBenefits[householdSize] || 0; // Get max benefit for current household size
var calculatedBenefit = maxBenefitForHousehold – (nmi * 0.30);
// Apply minimum benefit for 1-2 person households if applicable
// Federal minimum benefit is $23 for 1-2 person households with positive net income.
if (householdSize >= 1 && householdSize 0 && calculatedBenefit < 23) {
calculatedBenefit = 23;
} else if (calculatedBenefit < 0) {
calculatedBenefit = 0; // Cannot have negative benefits
}
// 7. Display Results
var resultHTML = "
Estimated Monthly SNAP Benefits:
";
if (calculatedBenefit > 0) {
resultHTML += "Based on your inputs, your household may be eligible for approximately
$" + calculatedBenefit.toFixed(2) + " in monthly SNAP benefits.";
resultHTML += "
Please note: This is an estimate. Actual eligibility and benefit amounts are determined by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services after a full application and interview. Income limits (gross and net) also apply and are not fully calculated here.";
} else {
resultHTML += "Based on your inputs, your household may not be eligible for SNAP benefits at this time, or the calculated benefit is $0.";
resultHTML += "
This is an estimate. Actual eligibility and benefit amounts are determined by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services after a full application and interview. Income limits (gross and net) also apply and are not fully calculated here.";
}
document.getElementById("result").innerHTML = resultHTML;
}