This calculator provides an *estimate* of your potential monthly SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefit in New York City. SNAP is a federal program administered by state and local agencies to help low-income individuals and families afford nutritious food. The actual benefit amount is determined by the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) after a full application review.
How the Estimate Works:
The calculation is based on a standard formula that considers your household's income, essential expenses, and size. The general steps involve:
Calculating Net Income: Your gross monthly income is reduced by certain deductions.
Standard Deduction: A fixed deduction based on household size is applied.
Earned Income Deduction: A percentage (typically 20%) is deducted from income considered "earned" (if applicable and not explicitly modeled here for simplicity).
Dependent Care Deduction: Costs for care of dependents (children or incapacitated adults) that enable you to work or attend training are deducted.
Medical Expense Deduction: For households with a member aged 60 or older or who is disabled, out-of-pocket medical expenses exceeding a certain threshold (often $35) are deducted.
Child Support Deduction: Legally obligated child support payments made to non-household members are deducted.
Shelter Costs: Your shelter costs (rent/mortgage plus utilities) are considered, with a potential deduction for the portion exceeding 50% of your net income, up to a limit.
Maximum Benefit: The estimated SNAP benefit is typically 30% of your net income after all deductions, or the maximum benefit for your household size, whichever is less.
Key Inputs Explained:
Household Size: The number of people who live together and purchase food in common.
Gross Monthly Income: All income received by household members before any deductions (wages, public assistance, pensions, etc.).
Monthly Rent/Mortgage: Your total housing payment.
Monthly Utility Costs: Includes heating, electricity, water, and gas.
Medical Expenses (60+/Disabled): Out-of-pocket costs for medical care.
Dependent Care Expenses: Costs for caring for children or disabled adults while you are working or training.
Child Support Paid: Payments made to someone outside your household.
Important Considerations:
This is an ESTIMATE. Your actual eligibility and benefit amount depend on a full application review by NYC HRA, verification of your circumstances, and current federal and state guidelines.
Asset limits may also apply, though they are often waived in New York State under certain conditions.
The maximum benefit levels change annually.
For official information and to apply, please visit the NYC HRA website or contact them directly.
function calculateSNAP() {
var householdSize = parseFloat(document.getElementById("householdSize").value);
var grossMonthlyIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById("grossMonthlyIncome").value);
var monthlyRent = parseFloat(document.getElementById("monthlyRent").value);
var monthlyUtilities = parseFloat(document.getElementById("monthlyUtilities").value);
var medicalExpensesOver60 = parseFloat(document.getElementById("medicalExpensesOver60").value);
var dependentCareExpenses = parseFloat(document.getElementById("dependentCareExpenses").value);
var childSupportPaid = parseFloat(document.getElementById("childSupportPaid").value);
var hasChildcareOrDependentCareCosts = document.getElementById("hasChildcareOrDependentCareCosts").value;
var hasMedicalExpensesOver60 = document.getElementById("hasMedicalExpensesOver60").value;
// — Input Validation —
if (isNaN(householdSize) || householdSize <= 0 ||
isNaN(grossMonthlyIncome) || grossMonthlyIncome < 0 ||
isNaN(monthlyRent) || monthlyRent < 0 ||
isNaN(monthlyUtilities) || monthlyUtilities < 0 ||
isNaN(medicalExpensesOver60) || medicalExpensesOver60 < 0 ||
isNaN(dependentCareExpenses) || dependentCareExpenses < 0 ||
isNaN(childSupportPaid) || childSupportPaid 0) {
earnedIncomeDeduction = grossMonthlyIncome * 0.20;
}
// 3. Dependent Care Deduction
var actualDependentCareDeduction = 0;
if (hasChildcareOrDependentCareCosts === "yes") {
actualDependentCareDeduction = dependentCareExpenses;
}
// 4. Medical Expense Deduction
var actualMedicalDeduction = 0;
var medicalExpenseThreshold = 35; // Amount over which medical expenses are deductible
if (hasMedicalExpensesOver60 === "yes" && medicalExpensesOver60 > medicalExpenseThreshold) {
actualMedicalDeduction = medicalExpensesOver60 – medicalExpenseThreshold;
}
// 5. Child Support Paid Deduction
var actualChildSupportDeduction = childSupportPaid;
// — Calculate Net Income —
// Gross Income – Earned Income Deduction – Dependent Care – Medical – Child Support
var netIncome = grossMonthlyIncome – earnedIncomeDeduction – actualDependentCareDeduction – actualMedicalDeduction – actualChildSupportDeduction;
// Ensure netIncome doesn't go below zero after deductions
if (netIncome shelterCostLimit) {
shelterCostDeduction = totalShelterCost – shelterCostLimit;
}
// — Calculate Total Allowable Deductions —
var totalDeductions = standardDeduction + shelterCostDeduction;
// — Calculate Actual Net Income After All Deductions —
var finalNetIncome = netIncome – totalDeductions;
if (finalNetIncome < 0) {
finalNetIncome = 0;
}
// — Calculate Estimated SNAP Benefit —
// Benefit is typically 30% of final net income, but not more than the maximum benefit for the household size.
// NOTE: Maximum benefit values are simplified approximations and change yearly.
var maxBenefit = 0;
if (householdSize === 1) maxBenefit = 291;
else if (householdSize === 2) maxBenefit = 535;
else if (householdSize === 3) maxBenefit = 766;
else if (householdSize === 4) maxBenefit = 973;
else if (householdSize === 5) maxBenefit = 1155;
else if (householdSize === 6) maxBenefit = 1309;
else if (householdSize === 7) maxBenefit = 1488;
else maxBenefit = 1691 + (householdSize – 8) * 203; // Approximation for larger households
var calculatedBenefit = finalNetIncome * 0.30; // 30% of net income
var estimatedBenefit = Math.min(calculatedBenefit, maxBenefit);
// Ensure benefit is not negative
if (estimatedBenefit 0) {
resultElement.innerHTML = "$" + estimatedBenefit.toFixed(2) + " Estimated Monthly SNAP Benefit";
} else {
resultElement.innerHTML = "$0.00 Estimated Monthly SNAP Benefit (May not be eligible or benefit is minimal)";
}
}