Do I Qualify for Food Stamps (SNAP) Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate your potential eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as Food Stamps. Eligibility is primarily based on your household size, income, and certain deductions. This calculator uses simplified federal guidelines for 2024 and provides an estimate; actual eligibility is determined by your state's SNAP agency.
Understanding SNAP Eligibility
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, helps low-income individuals and families purchase nutritious food. Eligibility rules are set at the federal level but administered by individual states, meaning there can be slight variations.
Key Eligibility Factors:
- Household Size: The number of people who live and eat together.
- Gross Monthly Income: Your total income before any deductions. For most households, this must be at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
- Net Monthly Income: Your income after certain deductions are applied. This must be at or below 100% of the FPL.
- Deductions: SNAP allows for several deductions that reduce your countable income, such as a standard deduction, earned income deduction, dependent care, medical expenses (for elderly/disabled), and excess shelter costs.
- Assets: Most households are exempt from asset limits. However, some households (e.g., those with an elderly or disabled member) may have an asset limit (e.g., $4,250 in 2024), while others have a lower limit (e.g., $2,750). This calculator focuses primarily on income.
How the Calculator Works:
This calculator estimates your eligibility based on common federal SNAP guidelines for 2024. It applies the following tests:
- Gross Income Test: Your household's total gross monthly income (before deductions) is compared to 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for your household size. If it's above this limit, you are generally ineligible. This test is typically waived if all members of your household are elderly or disabled.
- Net Income Test: Your household's net monthly income (after applying all allowable deductions) is compared to 100% of the FPL for your household size. If it's above this limit, you are generally ineligible.
The calculator applies a 20% earned income deduction, a standard deduction based on household size, dependent care costs, medical expenses (over $35 for elderly/disabled), child support paid, and an excess shelter deduction (capped at $672 for non-elderly/disabled households, uncapped for elderly/disabled households).
Important Disclaimer:
This calculator provides an estimate only and should not be considered a guarantee of eligibility. Actual SNAP eligibility is determined by your state's SNAP agency based on a full application and verification process. State rules can vary, and other factors not included in this simplified calculator (like student status, immigration status, or specific asset rules) may apply. Always contact your local SNAP office for precise information.
Examples of SNAP Eligibility Calculation:
Example 1: Eligible Household
- Household Size: 3 people
- Monthly Earned Income: $2,000
- Monthly Unearned Income: $0
- Monthly Shelter Costs: $800
- Monthly Dependent Care: $0
- Monthly Medical Expenses: $0
- Monthly Child Support Paid: $0
- Elderly/Disabled: No
Calculation Breakdown:
- Gross Income: $2,000
- 130% FPL for 3: $2,797
- Gross Income Test: $2,000 < $2,797 (PASS)
- Deductions:
- Earned Income Deduction (20% of $2,000): $400
- Standard Deduction (for 3): $193
- Other Deductions: $0
- Income After Other Deductions: $2,000 – $400 – $193 = $1,407
- Excess Shelter Deduction: $800 – (50% of $1,407) = $800 – $703.50 = $96.50 (within $672 cap)
- Total Deductions: $400 + $193 + $96.50 = $689.50
- Net Income: $2,000 – $689.50 = $1,310.50
- 100% FPL for 3: $2,151
- Net Income Test: $1,310.50 < $2,151 (PASS)
Result: This household is likely eligible for SNAP benefits.
Example 2: Ineligible Due to Gross Income
- Household Size: 2 people
- Monthly Earned Income: $3,000
- Monthly Unearned Income: $0
- Monthly Shelter Costs: $1,000
- Monthly Dependent Care: $0
- Monthly Medical Expenses: $0
- Monthly Child Support Paid: $0
- Elderly/Disabled: No
Calculation Breakdown:
- Gross Income: $3,000
- 130% FPL for 2: $2,214
- Gross Income Test: $3,000 > $2,214 (FAIL)
Result: This household is likely ineligible for SNAP benefits due to exceeding the gross income limit.
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function calculateFoodStampsEligibility() {
// Get input values
var householdSize = parseFloat(document.getElementById("householdSize").value);
var monthlyEarnedIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById("monthlyEarnedIncome").value);
var monthlyUnearnedIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById("monthlyUnearnedIncome").value);
var monthlyShelterCosts = parseFloat(document.getElementById("monthlyShelterCosts").value);
var monthlyDependentCare = parseFloat(document.getElementById("monthlyDependentCare").value);
var monthlyMedicalExpenses = parseFloat(document.getElementById("monthlyMedicalExpenses").value);
var monthlyChildSupportPaid = parseFloat(document.getElementById("monthlyChildSupportPaid").value);
var isElderlyDisabled = document.getElementById("isElderlyDisabled").checked;
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(householdSize) || householdSize < 1 ||
isNaN(monthlyEarnedIncome) || monthlyEarnedIncome < 0 ||
isNaN(monthlyUnearnedIncome) || monthlyUnearnedIncome < 0 ||
isNaN(monthlyShelterCosts) || monthlyShelterCosts < 0 ||
isNaN(monthlyDependentCare) || monthlyDependentCare < 0 ||
isNaN(monthlyMedicalExpenses) || monthlyMedicalExpenses < 0 ||
isNaN(monthlyChildSupportPaid) || monthlyChildSupportPaid < 0) {
document.getElementById("result").innerHTML = "Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields.";
document.getElementById("result").className = "calculator-result ineligible";
return;
}
// Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and Standard Deduction data for 2024 (approximate)
// 100% FPL per month
var fpl100Table = {
1: 1255, 2: 1703, 3: 2151, 4: 2599, 5: 3047, 6: 3495, 7: 3943, 8: 4391
};
// 130% FPL per month
var fpl130Table = {
1: 1632, 2: 2214, 3: 2797, 4: 3379, 5: 3961, 6: 4544, 7: 5126, 8: 5708
};
// Standard Deduction per month
var standardDeductionTable = {
1: 193, 2: 193, 3: 193, 4: 193, 5: 221, 6: 252
};
var shelterCap = 672; // For non-elderly/disabled households
var fpl100, fpl130, standardDeduction;
// Determine FPL 100%
if (householdSize <= 8) {
fpl100 = fpl100Table[householdSize];
} else {
fpl100 = fpl100Table[8] + (householdSize – 8) * 448; // Add $448 for each additional person
}
// Determine FPL 130%
if (householdSize <= 8) {
fpl130 = fpl130Table[householdSize];
} else {
fpl130 = fpl130Table[8] + (householdSize – 8) * 582; // Add $582 for each additional person (approx. 130% of 448)
}
// Determine Standard Deduction
if (householdSize 35) {
medicalDeduction = monthlyMedicalExpenses – 35;
}
var childSupportDeduction = monthlyChildSupportPaid;
// Calculate income after all deductions except shelter
var incomeAfterOtherDeductions = totalGrossIncome – earnedIncomeDeduction – standardDeduction – dependentCareDeduction – medicalDeduction – childSupportDeduction;
incomeAfterOtherDeductions = Math.max(0, incomeAfterOtherDeductions); // Income cannot be negative
// Calculate Excess Shelter Deduction
var excessShelter = monthlyShelterCosts – (incomeAfterOtherDeductions * 0.50);
excessShelter = Math.max(0, excessShelter); // Cannot be negative
var finalShelterDeduction = excessShelter;
if (!isElderlyDisabled) { // Apply cap only if not elderly/disabled
finalShelterDeduction = Math.min(excessShelter, shelterCap);
}
// Total Deductions
var totalDeductions = earnedIncomeDeduction + standardDeduction + dependentCareDeduction + medicalDeduction + childSupportDeduction + finalShelterDeduction;
// Step 3: Calculate Net Income
var netIncome = totalGrossIncome – totalDeductions;
netIncome = Math.max(0, netIncome); // Net income cannot be negative
// Step 4: Determine Eligibility
var grossIncomeTestRequired = !isElderlyDisabled; // Gross income test is not required if all members are elderly/disabled
var grossIncomeTestPassed = (totalGrossIncome <= fpl130);
var netIncomeTestPassed = (netIncome <= fpl100);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
var eligibilityMessage = "";
var resultClass = "calculator-result";
if (grossIncomeTestRequired && !grossIncomeTestPassed) {
eligibilityMessage = "
Likely Ineligible: Your household's gross monthly income ($" + totalGrossIncome.toFixed(2) + ") exceeds the federal limit of $" + fpl130.toFixed(2) + " for your household size.";
resultClass += " ineligible";
} else if (!netIncomeTestPassed) {
eligibilityMessage = "
Likely Ineligible: Your household's net monthly income ($" + netIncome.toFixed(2) + ") exceeds the federal limit of $" + fpl100.toFixed(2) + " for your household size.";
resultClass += " ineligible";
} else {
eligibilityMessage = "
Likely Eligible: Based on the provided information and simplified federal guidelines, your household appears to meet the income criteria for SNAP benefits.";
}
resultDiv.innerHTML = eligibilityMessage +
"
(Gross Income: $" + totalGrossIncome.toFixed(2) + " vs 130% FPL: $" + fpl130.toFixed(2) + ")" +
"
(Net Income: $" + netIncome.toFixed(2) + " vs 100% FPL: $" + fpl100.toFixed(2) + ")" +
"Please remember this is an estimate. Contact your local SNAP office for official determination.";
resultDiv.className = resultClass;
}