Missouri SNAP Eligibility Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate your household's potential eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, in Missouri. Eligibility is primarily based on household size, income, and certain deductions. This calculator provides an estimate based on general SNAP guidelines and common Missouri rules; actual eligibility is determined by the Missouri Department of Social Services.
Understanding SNAP Eligibility in Missouri
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as Food Stamps, helps low-income individuals and families purchase nutritious food. In Missouri, the program is administered by the Department of Social Services (DSS). Eligibility is determined by several factors, primarily household size, income, and certain deductions.
Key Eligibility Factors:
- Household Size: The number of people who live together and customarily purchase and prepare meals together.
- Gross Income Test: For most households, the total gross monthly income (before deductions) must be at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for their household size. Households with an elderly (age 60 or older) or disabled member are exempt from this test if their net income meets the limit.
- Net Income Test: After certain deductions are applied, the household's net monthly income must be at or below 100% of the FPL for their household size.
- Asset Test: Most households must have countable assets (like cash, bank accounts) of $2,750 or less. Households with an elderly or disabled member have a higher asset limit of $4,250. Certain assets, like your home and most vehicles, are typically not counted.
Common Deductions Used in SNAP Calculations:
- Standard Deduction: A fixed amount based on household size, applied to all households.
- Earned Income Deduction: 20% of gross earned income is disregarded.
- Dependent Care Deduction: Costs for child or adult dependent care necessary for work, training, or education.
- Medical Expense Deduction: For elderly or disabled household members, medical expenses exceeding $35 per month are deductible.
- Shelter Deduction: The amount of shelter costs (rent/mortgage + utilities) that exceed 50% of the household's income after all other deductions. This deduction is capped for most households but uncapped for households with an elderly or disabled member.
How Benefits Are Calculated:
If eligible, your monthly SNAP benefit amount is determined by subtracting 30% of your household's net income from the maximum monthly allotment for your household size. The maximum allotments are updated annually.
Important Considerations:
- This calculator provides an estimate based on general SNAP rules and approximate FPL/deduction figures for 2023/2024. Actual eligibility and benefit amounts are determined by the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) after a formal application and interview process.
- Rules can change, and specific situations (e.g., student status, immigration status, specific types of income/assets) can affect eligibility.
- It's always best to apply directly with Missouri DSS to get a definitive answer regarding your eligibility.
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function calculateEligibility() {
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 shelterCosts = parseFloat(document.getElementById('shelterCosts').value);
var hasElderlyDisabled = document.getElementById('hasElderlyDisabled').value === 'yes';
var liquidAssets = parseFloat(document.getElementById('liquidAssets').value);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('result');
resultDiv.innerHTML = "; // Clear previous results
// Input validation
if (isNaN(householdSize) || householdSize < 1 ||
isNaN(grossEarnedIncome) || grossEarnedIncome < 0 ||
isNaN(grossUnearnedIncome) || grossUnearnedIncome < 0 ||
isNaN(dependentCareCosts) || dependentCareCosts < 0 ||
isNaN(medicalExpenses) || medicalExpenses < 0 ||
isNaN(shelterCosts) || shelterCosts < 0 ||
isNaN(liquidAssets) || liquidAssets < 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields.';
return;
}
// — Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and Income Limits (Approximate 2024 values for 48 contiguous states) —
// Base FPL for 1 person, then add for each additional person
var baseFPL = 1255; // Monthly FPL for 1 person
var FPL_increment = 448; // Monthly FPL increment per additional person
var FPL_100_percent = baseFPL + (householdSize – 1) * FPL_increment;
var FPL_130_percent = FPL_100_percent * 1.3;
// Max Allotments (Approximate 2024 values)
var maxAllotments = {
1: 291, 2: 535, 3: 766, 4: 973, 5: 1155, 6: 1386, 7: 1532, 8: 1751
};
var maxAllotmentIncrement = 219; // For each person over 8
var maxMonthlyAllotment;
if (householdSize assetLimit) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = '
Not Eligible: Your household\'s liquid assets exceed the limit of $' + assetLimit.toLocaleString() + '.';
return;
}
// — Gross Income Test —
var totalGrossIncome = grossEarnedIncome + grossUnearnedIncome;
if (!hasElderlyDisabled && totalGrossIncome > FPL_130_percent) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = '
Not Eligible: Your household\'s gross monthly income ($' + totalGrossIncome.toLocaleString() + ') exceeds the limit of $' + FPL_130_percent.toLocaleString() + ' for your household size.';
return;
}
// — Deductions Calculation —
var deductions = 0;
// 1. Standard Deduction (Approximate 2023/2024 values)
var standardDeduction;
if (householdSize >= 1 && householdSize 35) {
deductions += (medicalExpenses – 35);
}
// Calculate preliminary net income before shelter deduction
var preliminaryNetIncome = totalGrossIncome – deductions;
// 5. Shelter Deduction
var excessShelterCosts = shelterCosts – (preliminaryNetIncome * 0.50);
var shelterDeduction = 0;
if (excessShelterCosts > 0) {
if (hasElderlyDisabled) {
shelterDeduction = excessShelterCosts; // Uncapped for elderly/disabled
} else {
var shelterCap = 672; // Approximate 2023/2024 cap for non-elderly/disabled
shelterDeduction = Math.min(excessShelterCosts, shelterCap);
}
}
deductions += shelterDeduction;
// — Net Income Test —
var netIncome = totalGrossIncome – deductions;
if (netIncome > FPL_100_percent) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = '
Not Eligible: Your household\'s net monthly income ($' + netIncome.toLocaleString() + ') exceeds the limit of $' + FPL_100_percent.toLocaleString() + ' for your household size.';
return;
}
// — Eligibility Confirmed & Benefit Calculation —
var estimatedBenefit = Math.max(23, maxMonthlyAllotment – (netIncome * 0.30)); // Minimum benefit is $23
resultDiv.innerHTML =
'
Potentially Eligible!' +
'Based on your inputs, your household may be eligible for SNAP benefits in Missouri.' +
'Estimated Monthly Benefit:
$' + Math.round(estimatedBenefit).toLocaleString() + '' +
'
Please note: This is an estimate. Actual eligibility and benefit amounts are determined by the Missouri Department of Social Services.';
}