When do assets count?

There is no asset requirement for most SNAP/food stamp households. In June 2008, Massachusetts elected a federal option to eliminate the asset test for most households. 106 C.M.R. §§ 363.110 and 365.180.

However, there are four situations when DTA may ask about your assets:

• Expedited benefits: If you need SNAP/food stamp benefits quickly, you qualify only if you have less than $150 in countable income and less than $100 in liquid assets, or your shelter costs exceed your income and liquid assets. Liquid assets means cash on hand, money in the bank. 106 C.M.R. § 363.100. So, if you have more than $100 in the bank or in cash, you can probably still get SNAP/food stamp benefits, but not right away.
• Elder/disabled households with gross income above 200% federal poverty level: If you are age 60 or older, or disabled and your gross income exceeds this level, DTA will ask about your assets before determining your eligibility. To qualify in this situation, your assets must be below $3,000. Assets include bank accounts, stocks, bonds, real estate other than your home, etc. It does not include tax-deferred retirement accounts, your home or land it sits upon, a car and other excluded items. See 106 C.M.R. § 363.130 for a full list of which assets are counted and 106 C.M.R. § 363.140 for a list of those non-countable.
• Income you earn from your assets, like interest payments: Even though there is no asset rule in the SNAP/food stamp program, any income you receive from an asset does count as income. Just like for federal and state taxes, interest earned on savings and dividends you receive both count as income for SNAP/food stamp benefits. 106 C.M.R. § 363.220(B)(5). If interest is paid quarterly or annually, DTA will average it out over the three, or twelve, months. 106 C.M.R. § 364.340. DTA may ask for bank statements, tax filings or other proof of the amount of interest or dividends you receive.
• If you are disqualified due to a sanction: Your assets count if your SNAP/food stamp household includes a member disqualified for one of the following reasons:
  • Intentional program violation (fraud) at 106 C.M.R. § 367.800,
  • Failure to comply with the work program rules at 106 C.M.R. § 362.320, or
  • Failure to comply with the TAFDC monthly reporting rules at 106 C.M.R. § 366.110(D).

If your household includes a disqualified household member, you are also subject to the $2,000 asset limit. The asset limit is $3,000 if your household contains an elder or disabled individual. Once the household member is back in compliance with the work or reporting rules (or the IPV sanction period has ended), the regular financial rules apply.

Additional Policy Guidance on Assets