SNAP (Food Stamp) Sample Calculations

Step

Compute Gross Income and Apply the Gross Income Test

Example

1

Determine Household size.

4 people with no elderly or disabled members.

2

Add gross monthly income.

$1,500 earned income
+ $550 Social Security
= $2,050 gross income.

3

If gross monthly income is less than the limit for household size, determine net income.

$2,050 is less than the $2,422 allowed for a 4-person household, so determine net income.

Subtract Deductions to Determine Net Income and Apply the Net Income Test

Example

4

Subtract 20% earned income deduction.

$2,050 gross income.
20% of $1,500 earned income = $300.
$2,050 - $300 = $1,750.

5

Subtract standard deduction.

$1,750 - $155 standard deduction for a household size of 4 = $1,595.

6

Subtract dependent care deduction, but not more than the limit.

$1,597 - $361 = $1,234.

7

Subtract child support deduction, if any.

0.

8

Subtract medical costs over $35 for elderly and disabled, if any.

0.

9

Compute excess shelter deduction after all other deductions have been taken.

Adjusted gross income is $1,234 at this point.

10

Determine half of adjusted income.

$1,234 adjusted income
divided by 2
= $617.

11

Determine if shelter costs are more than half of adjusted income.

$700 total shelter costs
-$617 (half of income)
= $83 excess shelter cost.

12

Subtract excess amount, but not more than the limit, from adjusted income to find net monthly income.

$1,234 adjusted income
- $83 excess shelter
= $1,151 Net Income.

13

Apply the net income test.

Since the $1,151 net monthly income is less than $1,863 allowed for a family of 4, the household has met the net income test.

Step

Benefit Computation

Example

1

Multiply net income by 30%
(Round up to nearest dollar).

$1,151 net monthly income
X 30%
= $345.30
(round up to $346).

2

Subtract resulting amount from the maximum allotment for the household size.

$668 (max allotment for 4)
- $346 (30% of net income)
= $322, SNAP Allotment for full month.