Yes. Most SNAP/food stamp applicants only need to pass a gross income test. Some households need to also pass a net income test. And some of these households, in limited circumstances, also need to pass the asset test.
The gross income tests
Gross income is your monthly income before any deductions for taxes, or any of the allowable deductions. There are currently TWO gross income tests that affect most households:
- 200% federal poverty level test, which applies to:
- families with children, pregnant women, and
- households with an elder (age 60+) or person with disabilities.
- 130% federal poverty level test, which applies to:
- individuals ages 18 to 60 who are not disabled and not living with children under age 19, and
- any household that includes a sanctioned member (work sanction, IPV, TAFDC monthly reporting failure). Note: The sanctioned member is not included in the household size. See How does DTA count the income of someone who lives with me but is not part of my SNAP/food stamp household?
See 106 C.M.R. §§ 365.180, 364.976, 364.950.
These are the monthly gross income levels (as of October 1, 2011) by household size, also included in Appendix B: Income and Benefits Standards, Charts 2 and 3.
Gross Income Test
|
Gross Income Test
|
|
1 |
$1,815 | $1,180 |
2 |
$2,452 | $1,594 |
3 |
$3,089 | $2,008 |
4 |
$3,725 | $ 2,422 |
5 |
$4,362 | $ 2,836 |
6 |
$4,999 | $3,249 |
If an elder/disabled household has income above the 200% gross income test, the household must meet the net income test and asset test. All other households above 200% gross income (or 130% gross income if no children and not pregnant) are simply ineligible.
If a member of a household pays legally obligated child support, the child support is not counted in the gross income test for the household. 106 C.M.R. § 363.230(O). See What is the child support deduction?.
Net income test
The net income test is based on 100% of the federal poverty level. See also Appendix B: Income and Benefits Standards, Chart 1. Some of the households which pass the gross income test also need to meet the net income test.
Net income is what's left after all the allowable deductions under the SNAP/food stamp rules, including the 20% earnings deduction, standard household deduction, dependent care expenses, and medical expenses for elder/disabled persons, child support paid out, and the shelter deduction. See What deductions are allowed against my income?
The net income test applies to the following households:
- Households with persons ages 18 to 60, not disabled and not living with minor children.
- Households with elder/disabled persons whose gross income is above 200% of poverty level, but who meet the asset test.
- Households with a sanctioned member (work sanction, IPV, TAFDC monthly reporting failure), and who also meet the asset test. The sanctioned member is not included in the household size to determine net income. 106 C.M.R. § 363.110. See When do assets count?
106 C.M.R. §§ 365.180, 364.970.
The following chart summarizes the gross and net income tests, and the asset test rule:
Assets
|
Gross Income
|
Net (100% FPL)
|
|
| Family with children, pregnant woman |
NO | 200% FPL | NO |
| Elder/disabled household | NO | 200% FPL | NO* |
| Elder/disabled household— gross income > 200% FPL |
YES | None | YES |
| Persons age 18-60, no kids, not disabled |
NO | 130% FPL | YES |
| Household under sanction (work, IPV, sanctioned member) |
YES | 130% FPL | YES |
* See Advocacy Reminder below. Application of the net income test to these households violates federal categorical eligibility requirements.
Advocacy Reminders
- The 200% gross income test, elimination of the net income test for some households, and elimination of the asset test are part of the "categorical eligibility" options that states are allowed to use in order to reach more low-income households.
- Current DTA regulations and BEACON programming erroneously require elder/disabled households with income below 200% FPL gross income test to also meet the 100% FPL net income test. This is in violation of the federal categorical eligibility rules. Contact an advocate if you have an elder/disabled household denied benefits due to the net income test. Elder/disabled households under 200% FPL, even if income is above the net income test, should receive at least the minimum $16 benefit, in accordance with 106 C.M.R. § 364.600(A).
- In special situations, an individual who is both elderly and disabled but lives with others can get her or his own SNAP/food stamps even if she cannot purchase or prepare food separately and lives with others. To be eligible for this special status, the gross income of the rest of the household excluding the elderly disabled person (and his or her spouse, children age 21 or younger, and certain minors) must be less than 165% of the poverty level. 106 C.M.R. §§ 361.200(B), 364.975. See What if I am elderly or disabled and live with other people but I cannot buy and cook my own food? for more details on these special situations.
Additional Policy Guidance on Financial Eligibility Tests
Additional Policy Guidance on Financial Eligibility Tests
- DTA guidance on the implementation of expanded categorical eligibility rules which eliminated the asset test and clarified the gross income tests. DTA Field Operations Memo 2008-27 (May 30, 2008)
- Elders who receive disability-based benefits (SSI, RSDI, VA disability) do not need to meet the gross income test. DTA Transitions (Sept. 2008)
- USDA Guidance re "Categorical Eligibility Questions and Answers," December 15, 2009
Produced by Patricia Baker, Laura Gallant, Deborah Harris, Rochelle Hahn Massachusetts Law Reform Institute Last updated October 1, 2011
