Use this calculator to estimate your household's potential eligibility for Food Stamps (SNAP) benefits in North Carolina based on common income and deduction criteria. Please note that this is an estimate and not a guarantee of eligibility. Final determination is made by the NC Department of Health and Human Services.
function calculateEligibility() {
var householdSize = parseFloat(document.getElementById('householdSize').value);
var grossMonthlyIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById('grossMonthlyIncome').value);
var monthlyEarnedIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById('monthlyEarnedIncome').value);
var numElderlyDisabled = parseFloat(document.getElementById('numElderlyDisabled').value);
var monthlyChildCare = parseFloat(document.getElementById('monthlyChildCare').value);
var monthlyMedicalCosts = parseFloat(document.getElementById('monthlyMedicalCosts').value);
var monthlyRentMortgage = parseFloat(document.getElementById('monthlyRentMortgage').value);
var monthlyUtilities = parseFloat(document.getElementById('monthlyUtilities').value);
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(householdSize) || householdSize < 1 ||
isNaN(grossMonthlyIncome) || grossMonthlyIncome < 0 ||
isNaN(monthlyEarnedIncome) || monthlyEarnedIncome < 0 ||
isNaN(numElderlyDisabled) || numElderlyDisabled < 0 ||
isNaN(monthlyChildCare) || monthlyChildCare < 0 ||
isNaN(monthlyMedicalCosts) || monthlyMedicalCosts < 0 ||
isNaN(monthlyRentMortgage) || monthlyRentMortgage < 0 ||
isNaN(monthlyUtilities) || monthlyUtilities grossMonthlyIncome) {
document.getElementById('result').innerHTML = 'Monthly Earned Income cannot be greater than Total Gross Monthly Income.';
return;
}
// — FPL and Deduction Values (Approximate for 2023/2024, subject to change) —
// These are based on general FPL guidelines and SNAP deduction rules.
// Actual values can vary slightly and are updated annually.
var fpl100 = { // 100% Federal Poverty Level (monthly)
1: 1215, 2: 1643, 3: 2072, 4: 2500, 5: 2928, 6: 3357, 7: 3785, 8: 4213
};
var fpl130 = { // 130% Federal Poverty Level (monthly)
1: 1579.50, 2: 2135.90, 3: 2693.60, 4: 3250.00, 5: 3806.40, 6: 4363.10, 7: 4919.50, 8: 5475.90
};
var fplAddPerPerson100 = 428; // For each person over 8
var fplAddPerPerson130 = 556.40; // For each person over 8
var standardDeduction;
if (householdSize >= 1 && householdSize = 5) {
standardDeduction = 221;
} else {
standardDeduction = 0; // Should not happen with min="1″
}
var shelterCap = 672; // Maximum shelter deduction for non-elderly/disabled households
var medicalDeductionThreshold = 35; // Medical costs must exceed this for deduction
// Calculate FPL limits for the given household size
var currentFpl100 = fpl100[householdSize];
var currentFpl130 = fpl130[householdSize];
if (householdSize > 8) {
currentFpl100 = fpl100[8] + (householdSize – 8) * fplAddPerPerson100;
currentFpl130 = fpl130[8] + (householdSize – 8) * fplAddPerPerson130;
}
var resultHtml = ";
var eligible = true;
// — Step 1: Gross Income Test —
// Most households must meet the gross income test (130% FPL).
// Households with an elderly or disabled member only need to meet the net income test.
if (numElderlyDisabled === 0) {
if (grossMonthlyIncome > currentFpl130) {
eligible = false;
resultHtml += 'Gross Income Test: Your household\'s gross monthly income of $' + grossMonthlyIncome.toFixed(2) + ' exceeds the limit of $' + currentFpl130.toFixed(2) + ' for your household size. You are likely ineligible.';
} else {
resultHtml += 'Gross Income Test: Your household\'s gross monthly income of $' + grossMonthlyIncome.toFixed(2) + ' is within the limit of $' + currentFpl130.toFixed(2) + '.';
}
} else {
resultHtml += 'Gross Income Test: Your household has an elderly or disabled member, so you are exempt from the gross income test. We will proceed to the net income test.';
}
// — Step 2: Calculate Net Income —
var netIncome = grossMonthlyIncome;
var deductions = 0;
// 1. Earned Income Deduction (20% of earned income)
var earnedIncomeDeduction = monthlyEarnedIncome * 0.20;
netIncome -= earnedIncomeDeduction;
deductions += earnedIncomeDeduction;
resultHtml += 'Deductions:';
resultHtml += '
Earned Income Deduction (20% of $' + monthlyEarnedIncome.toFixed(2) + '): -$' + earnedIncomeDeduction.toFixed(2) + '
Medical Expense Deduction: Not applied as costs ($' + monthlyMedicalCosts.toFixed(2) + ') are below the $' + medicalDeductionThreshold.toFixed(2) + ' threshold.
';
}
// 5. Shelter Deduction
var totalShelterCosts = monthlyRentMortgage + monthlyUtilities;
var incomeAfterOtherDeductions = grossMonthlyIncome – earnedIncomeDeduction – standardDeduction – monthlyChildCare – medicalDeduction;
var halfIncomeAfterOtherDeductions = incomeAfterOtherDeductions * 0.50;
var shelterDeduction = 0;
if (totalShelterCosts > halfIncomeAfterOtherDeductions) {
shelterDeduction = totalShelterCosts – halfIncomeAfterOtherDeductions;
// Apply shelter cap unless elderly/disabled
if (numElderlyDisabled === 0 && shelterDeduction > shelterCap) {
shelterDeduction = shelterCap;
resultHtml += '
Shelter Deduction: Not applied as costs are not above 50% of income after other deductions.
';
}
resultHtml += '
';
// — Step 3: Net Income Test —
if (eligible) { // Only proceed if not already deemed ineligible by gross income test
if (netIncome > currentFpl100) {
eligible = false;
resultHtml += 'Net Income Test: Your household\'s calculated net monthly income of $' + netIncome.toFixed(2) + ' exceeds the limit of $' + currentFpl100.toFixed(2) + ' for your household size. You are likely ineligible.';
} else {
resultHtml += 'Net Income Test: Your household\'s calculated net monthly income of $' + netIncome.toFixed(2) + ' is within the limit of $' + currentFpl100.toFixed(2) + '.';
}
}
// Final Result
if (eligible) {
resultHtml = 'Based on these estimates, your household appears to be eligible for Food Stamps (SNAP) in North Carolina.' + resultHtml;
} else {
resultHtml = 'Based on these estimates, your household appears to be ineligible for Food Stamps (SNAP) in North Carolina.' + resultHtml;
}
resultHtml += 'Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate based on common SNAP eligibility rules for North Carolina. Actual eligibility is determined by the NC Department of Health and Human Services after a full application and review. Income limits and deduction amounts are subject to change annually.';
document.getElementById('result').innerHTML = resultHtml;
}
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Understanding Food Stamps (SNAP) Eligibility in North Carolina
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as Food Stamps, provides crucial food assistance to low-income individuals and families. In North Carolina, the program is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). Eligibility is determined by several factors, primarily household income, household size, and certain deductions.
Key Eligibility Factors
To qualify for SNAP benefits in North Carolina, households generally must meet both a gross income test and a net income test. However, households with an elderly (age 60 or older) or disabled member are exempt from the gross income test and only need to meet the net income test.
Household Size: This refers to the number of people who live together and customarily purchase and prepare meals together. The larger your household, the higher the income limits.
Gross Monthly Income: This is your household's total income from all sources before any deductions are taken out. For most households, this income must be at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for their household size.
Net Monthly Income: This is your household's income after certain allowable deductions are applied. For all households, this income must be at or below 100% of the FPL for their household size.
Assets: While there are asset limits, many households are exempt, especially those meeting the gross income test. For non-exempt households, the asset limit is typically $2,750, or $4,250 if at least one household member is age 60 or older or disabled.
Common Deductions That Affect Net Income
Several deductions can reduce your gross income to determine your net income, potentially helping you meet the eligibility criteria:
Earned Income Deduction: 20% of any earned income (wages, salaries) is disregarded.
Standard Deduction: A fixed amount based on household size.
Dependent Care Deduction: Costs paid for the care of a child or other dependent when necessary for a household member to work, look for work, or attend training/education.
Medical Expense Deduction: For elderly or disabled household members, medical expenses over $35 per month can be deducted.
Shelter Deduction: This includes rent, mortgage payments, property taxes, and utility costs. The amount deducted is the portion of shelter costs that exceeds 50% of the household's income after all other deductions. This deduction is capped for most households but is uncapped if an elderly or disabled member is present.
How the Calculator Works
Our NC Food Stamps Eligibility Calculator uses approximate Federal Poverty Level (FPL) guidelines and standard deduction amounts for North Carolina. It performs the following steps:
It first checks your household's Gross Monthly Income against 130% of the FPL (unless an elderly or disabled member is present).
It then calculates your Net Monthly Income by applying common deductions such as earned income, standard, dependent care, medical (if applicable), and shelter costs.
Finally, it compares your calculated Net Monthly Income against 100% of the FPL.
If your household passes both applicable income tests, the calculator will indicate potential eligibility. Remember, this is an estimate. The actual application process involves a detailed review by NCDHHS, which may include verifying income, expenses, and household composition.
Applying for SNAP in North Carolina
If you believe you may be eligible, you can apply for SNAP benefits in North Carolina through several methods: