If people live with you but buy their own food and prepare the majority of their own meals separately (for example, 11 or more meals per week), you may be able to get your own SNAP/food stamp benefits. You are not required to keep your food separate from their food, use a different stove or refrigerator or even have access to cooking facilities. 106 C.M.R. § 361.200. Unless the information is questionable, you can also self-declare your living situation on the application form. See What if I am having trouble getting all the proofs, or the proofs get to DTA late?.
Example
Jane and Steve are roommates who share an apartment. Both have jobs, Jane works part-time. They sometimes eat dinner together, but they buy and prepare most of their food separately. Jane and Steve can be separate SNAP/food stamp households. Even if they share a bedroom— unless legally married— they can be separate SNAP/food stamp households if they purchase and prepare most of their meals separately.
Being in a separate SNAP/food stamp household usually means you will get more benefits. That's because each separate SNAP/food stamp household gets the full deductions on income before the monthly benefit amount is calculated. It also means you cannot be cut off or denied if the other person does not comply with the work rules, income reporting or other program rules. However, some people, like spouses and children, are required to be in the same household even if they buy and prepare food separately. 106 C.M.R. § 361.200(A). See Who cannot be a separate SNAP/food stamp household?.
If you are too disabled to purchase and prepare your own food, but someone else who is not your spouse or parent (if you are under 22 ) does it for you, you can also get separate household status. See What if I am elderly or disabled and live with other people but I cannot buy and cook my own food?.
Additional Policy Guidance on Purchase and Prepare Rule
Additional Policy Guidance on Purchase and Prepare Rule
- Applicant need not verify household composition (e.g., that the applicant purchases and prepares separately) unless questionable. Household composition questions removed from landlord verification form. DTA Transitions (May 2008)
- A person too disabled to purchase and prepare for him or herself and gets assistance from others can also qualify for separate household status. Transitions FYI, December 2007
- Roommate subletting need not get "shared housing verification form" filled out; roommates can be separate households without verification unless questionable. DTA Transitions (July 2007)
- DTA clarifies the majority of meals concept in a Bay State CAP mailing to SSI recipients living with others but preparing most meals separately as follows: "most means 11 or more meals per week." DTA Field Operations Memo 2005-50 (Oct. 3, 2005), Attachment B.
Produced by Patricia Baker, Laura Gallant, Deborah Harris, Rochelle Hahn Massachusetts Law Reform Institute Last updated January 2011
