|
|
Post by xray on Nov 4, 2022 15:58:51 GMT
GOBankingRates
Food Stamps: What Is the Most Money You Can Make To Qualify?
Andrew Lisa
Fri, November 4, 2022, 9:01 AM
In 2019, 35.7 million people relied on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to eat, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, but enrollment had been steadily declining since 2013. That trend went out the window when the pandemic reversed the tide and swelled the rolls of America’s largest food-security program to 41.5 million in 2021.
In 2022, applications are up again, but this time around, inflation and rising prices are to blame.
If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, it’s important to understand how the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) — which runs SNAP — classifies income. It’s also important to know the limits the USDA places on the amount of money recipients can earn in order to qualify. Keep reading to find out how much income you can earn while still being eligible for the program previously known as food stamps.
Understanding ‘Income’ as It Pertains to SNAP
The USDA has standards for two income categories: gross income and net income. Most families have to meet the limit thresholds for both to qualify for benefits. Gross income is “a household’s total, non-excluded income, before any deductions have been made,” according to the USDA. Net income is “gross income minus allowable deductions.”
Deductions include things such as qualifying medical or dependent care expenses. For the purposes of SNAP, it’s important to note that income includes not just wages and other earned income, but unearned income like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and veterans, disability and death benefits. Some households that receive SSI or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits might automatically qualify for SNAP because they’ve already been vetted for entry into a means-tested program.
Income Eligibility Limits By Household Size
Here’s a look at income limits for SNAP eligibility by household size in the 48 contiguous states through Sept. 30. Gross monthly income represents 130% of poverty and net monthly income represents 100% of poverty. The threshold scales up with the number of household members actively receiving benefits.
The Limits Are Higher in Alaska and Hawaii. In Hawaii, income limits range from $20,318 per year for one-person households to $69,732 for households with eight recipients. That’s about $1,69 to $5,811 per month. After that, it’s $7,059 per year for each additional person. In Alaska, the annual income limit ranges from $22,087 ($1,841 per month) for one person to $75,777 ($6,315 per month) for eight people.
The Bar Is Lower for Especially Vulnerable Households
Most households have to meet both the net income and gross income limits that the USDA outlines — but there are a few rare exceptions. Most applicants can have up to $2,500 in what the USDA calls “countable resources” — assets like cash or money in the bank. If a household member is disabled or at least 60 years old, however, the limit increases to $3,750. Also, households that include elderly people, disabled people or both must meet only the net income test, not the threshold for gross income.
----------
Live Long and Prosper....
|
|
|
|
Post by FD1000 on Nov 4, 2022 21:12:19 GMT
GOBankingRates Food Stamps: What Is the Most Money You Can Make To Qualify? Andrew Lisa Fri, November 4, 2022, 9:01 AM In 2019, 35.7 million people relied on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to eat, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, but enrollment had been steadily declining since 2013. That trend went out the window when the pandemic reversed the tide and swelled the rolls of America’s largest food-security program to 41.5 million in 2021. In 2022, applications are up again, but this time around, inflation and rising prices are to blame. If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, it’s important to understand how the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) — which runs SNAP — classifies income. It’s also important to know the limits the USDA places on the amount of money recipients can earn in order to qualify. Keep reading to find out how much income you can earn while still being eligible for the program previously known as food stamps. Understanding ‘Income’ as It Pertains to SNAPThe USDA has standards for two income categories: gross income and net income. Most families have to meet the limit thresholds for both to qualify for benefits. Gross income is “a household’s total, non-excluded income, before any deductions have been made,” according to the USDA. Net income is “gross income minus allowable deductions.” Deductions include things such as qualifying medical or dependent care expenses. For the purposes of SNAP, it’s important to note that income includes not just wages and other earned income, but unearned income like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and veterans, disability and death benefits. Some households that receive SSI or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits might automatically qualify for SNAP because they’ve already been vetted for entry into a means-tested program. Income Eligibility Limits By Household SizeHere’s a look at income limits for SNAP eligibility by household size in the 48 contiguous states through Sept. 30. Gross monthly income represents 130% of poverty and net monthly income represents 100% of poverty. The threshold scales up with the number of household members actively receiving benefits. The Limits Are Higher in Alaska and Hawaii. In Hawaii, income limits range from $20,318 per year for one-person households to $69,732 for households with eight recipients. That’s about $1,69 to $5,811 per month. After that, it’s $7,059 per year for each additional person. In Alaska, the annual income limit ranges from $22,087 ($1,841 per month) for one person to $75,777 ($6,315 per month) for eight people. The Bar Is Lower for Especially Vulnerable HouseholdsMost households have to meet both the net income and gross income limits that the USDA outlines — but there are a few rare exceptions. Most applicants can have up to $2,500 in what the USDA calls “countable resources” — assets like cash or money in the bank. If a household member is disabled or at least 60 years old, however, the limit increases to $3,750. Also, households that include elderly people, disabled people or both must meet only the net income test, not the threshold for gross income. ---------- Live Long and Prosper.... "In 2022, applications are up again, but this time around, inflation and rising prices are to blame." The article is missing one important point. The inflation rose because of.....easy answer. |
|
|
|
Post by retiredat48 on Nov 5, 2022 0:46:21 GMT
My memory is when I retired 28 years ago (no pension yet), I qualified for food stamps. I did not take it.
I have requested of my kids, that if/when they retire early (stop working for income) , that they DO NOT take food stamps, even if they qualify.
R48
|
|
hondo
Commander
Posts: 148
|
Post by hondo on Nov 5, 2022 21:56:18 GMT
I would think that if a person has investments, they would not qualify for food stamps.
|
|
hondo
Commander
Posts: 148
|
Post by hondo on Nov 5, 2022 21:59:05 GMT
IMO if you retired while qualified for food stamps, you should not have retired. I'm glad you didn't take them.
|
|
|
|
Post by Capital on Nov 6, 2022 10:30:45 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Chahta on Nov 7, 2022 13:36:18 GMT
Capital , that is one strict set of requirements. Look at the sentence that hunger to be eliminated by 2005.
|
|
|
|
Post by steadyeddy on Nov 7, 2022 14:04:11 GMT
My memory is when I retired 28 years ago (no pension yet), I qualified for food stamps. I did not take it. I have requested of my kids, that if/when they retire early (stop working for income) , that they DO NOT take food stamps, even if they qualify. R48 , I personally see nothing wrong in taking advantage of government programs when we truly qualify for them. I have availed myself of unemployment benefits when I was separated from my job many years ago even though I was in a position to tide over without the unemployment benefits - they went straight into the bank as savings. As long as I am honest and factual about qualifying for any program, I fully intend to utilize it. What am I missing? |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2022 16:00:28 GMT
When spouse and I started out (in our early twenties) and faced summer without income, we took a loan from the Credit Union.
|
|
|
|
Post by retiredat48 on Nov 7, 2022 16:23:39 GMT
My memory is when I retired 28 years ago (no pension yet), I qualified for food stamps. I did not take it. I have requested of my kids, that if/when they retire early (stop working for income) , that they DO NOT take food stamps, even if they qualify. R48 , I personally see nothing wrong in taking advantage of government programs when we truly qualify for them. I have availed myself of unemployment benefits when I was separated from my job many years ago even though I was in a position to tide over without the unemployment benefits - they went straight into the bank as savings. As long as I am honest and factual about qualifying for any program, I fully intend to utilize it. What am I missing? You are technically correct. For me personally, the fact that food stamps has such an overreach to get people on the rolls, it just didn't seem right for me to take food enabling, when not needed. Kinda like, I have a college educated daughter and educated hubby (both employed), with two kids...they have financial arrangements such that they pay zero tuition/housing for a daughter to go to an $82,000 a year university. Key driver here is that IRA money is not counted in assistance calculations. Even the daughter's baby sitting money is in IRAs. So one can be a multi-millionaire in IRAs, and get such assistance. It is taking advantage to the extreme. Yes, take it, but watch out for bad karma! Suggest plan to give back or pay-it-forward sometime. Like, I got a $3000 HS scholarship (1962 prices) (used at Penn State), for which I have paid back to my high school, many times this amount...including funding the entire costs for everyone for my recent 60th HS class reunion (Oh, that was stimilus money I gave!). Pay it forward! R48 |
|
|
|
Post by Chahta on Nov 7, 2022 17:24:13 GMT
The requirements are set on pretty low income. If you qualify, so what? One of the few ways regular people get a benefit for their tax dollars.
|
|
|
|
Post by Capital on Nov 7, 2022 19:02:11 GMT
Capital , that is one strict set of requirements. Look at the sentence that hunger to be eliminated by 2005. Darn 2005 - that's pretty up to date for TN State Government. I was unaware they had made it to the 21st century.  |
|
|
|
Post by steadyeddy on Nov 8, 2022 3:57:37 GMT
retiredat48 , I personally see nothing wrong in taking advantage of government programs when we truly qualify for them. I have availed myself of unemployment benefits when I was separated from my job many years ago even though I was in a position to tide over without the unemployment benefits - they went straight into the bank as savings. As long as I am honest and factual about qualifying for any program, I fully intend to utilize it. What am I missing? You are technically correct. For me personally, the fact that food stamps has such an overreach to get people on the rolls, it just didn't seem right for me to take food enabling, when not needed. Kinda like, I have a college educated daughter and educated hubby (both employed), with two kids...they have financial arrangements such that they pay zero tuition/housing for a daughter to go to an $82,000 a year university. Key driver here is that IRA money is not counted in assistance calculations. Even the daughter's baby sitting money is in IRAs. So one can be a multi-millionaire in IRAs, and get such assistance. It is taking advantage to the extreme. Yes, take it, but watch out for bad karma! Suggest plan to give back or pay-it-forward sometime. Like, I got a $3000 HS scholarship (1962 prices) (used at Penn State), for which I have paid back to my high school, many times this amount...including funding the entire costs for everyone for my recent 60th HS class reunion (Oh, that was stimilus money I gave!). Pay it forward! R48 , Following the rules leads to bad karma? Huh... not in my book. But we will get back to investing. I am anxiously waiting for your thread on 'bonds." |
|
|
|
Post by retiredat48 on Nov 8, 2022 18:50:17 GMT
steadyeddy ,...Hi I would like to add to my comments above re your getting and taking unemployment pay. Unemployment Pay is not an assistance/handout...it is a form of insurance. That is, in most states the employee, and all the employers, participate in making payments into the reserves. So if you become unemployed, that is drawing from your plan. Similar is social security. It is not a gvt handout, but an insurance plan, funded by participants and companies. So yes, I took both unemployment pay and social security when eligible. But no problem...it is just me saying I will not take food assistance if not needed. I also struggle with my annual donation to the local Food Banks, who where I live are now giving a weeks worth of food to anyone requesting it. The soup lines of the thirties being replaced with lines of people driving up in new SUVs, with gas tanks full, to get their weekly food, when it appears many are not in true need for same. R48
|
|
hondo
Commander
Posts: 148
|
Post by hondo on Nov 9, 2022 15:02:24 GMT
My memory is when I retired 28 years ago (no pension yet), I qualified for food stamps. I did not take it. I have requested of my kids, that if/when they retire early (stop working for income) , that they DO NOT take food stamps, even if they qualify. R48 , I personally see nothing wrong in taking advantage of government programs when we truly qualify for them. I have availed myself of unemployment benefits when I was separated from my job many years ago even though I was in a position to tide over without the unemployment benefits - they went straight into the bank as savings.
As long as I am honest and factual about qualifying for any program, I fully intend to utilize it. What am I missing? It is a reflection of character. Just because one can do something, does not mean that they should., |
|
|
|
Post by Chahta on Nov 9, 2022 16:25:19 GMT
retiredat48 , I personally see nothing wrong in taking advantage of government programs when we truly qualify for them. I have availed myself of unemployment benefits when I was separated from my job many years ago even though I was in a position to tide over without the unemployment benefits - they went straight into the bank as savings.
As long as I am honest and factual about qualifying for any program, I fully intend to utilize it. What am I missing? It is a reflection of character. Just because one can do something, does not mean that they should., Not in every instance. It is not a universal truth. |
|
|
|
Post by steadyeddy on Nov 10, 2022 3:56:44 GMT
|
|
