Find out if you qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps) benefits based on the 2024 Federal Guidelines.
*Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate based on federal standards for 48 states and D.C. Alaska and Hawaii have higher limits. Final eligibility must be determined by your local SNAP office.
How Food Stamp Eligibility is Calculated
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) uses specific financial criteria to determine if a household qualifies for food assistance. Generally, a household must meet two main income tests: the Gross Income Test and the Net Income Test.
Gross income represents your total, non-excluded income before any taxes or deductions are removed. For most households, this must be at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). However, households with an elderly member (60+) or a person receiving disability payments often skip the gross income test and proceed directly to the net income test.
2024 SNAP Income Limits (48 States & D.C.)
Household Size
Gross Monthly Limit (130% FPL)
Max Monthly Benefit
1
$1,580
$291
2
$2,137
$535
3
$2,694
$766
4
$3,250
$973
5
$3,807
$1,155
Common Deductions for SNAP
The SNAP program allows for several deductions to arrive at your "Net Income," which is used to calculate your actual benefit amount:
Standard Deduction: A flat amount deducted based on household size.
Earned Income Deduction: 20% of your gross earned wages is excluded.
Shelter Deduction: Costs for housing and utilities that exceed 50% of the household's income after other deductions.
Dependent Care: Costs for childcare while working or looking for work.
Medical Expenses: Out-of-pocket medical costs for elderly or disabled members that exceed $35 per month.
Real-World Example Calculation
Consider a household of 3 with a gross monthly income of $2,000 and $800 in rent costs. First, we check the gross limit ($2,694). Since $2,000 is below the limit, they pass. After applying the 20% earned income deduction ($400) and the standard deduction for a family of 3 (approx. $198), their adjusted income is $1,402. If their shelter costs are significantly high relative to this income, they may receive the maximum benefit of $766 or a prorated amount.
function calculateSNAP() {
var hhSize = parseInt(document.getElementById("hhSize").value);
var grossMonthly = parseFloat(document.getElementById("grossMonthly").value);
var shelter = parseFloat(document.getElementById("shelterCost").value) || 0;
var otherExp = parseFloat(document.getElementById("otherExpenses").value) || 0;
var resultArea = document.getElementById("snap-result-area");
var statusLabel = document.getElementById("statusLabel");
var benefitValue = document.getElementById("benefitValue");
var resultDetails = document.getElementById("resultDetails");
if (isNaN(hhSize) || isNaN(grossMonthly) || hhSize < 1) {
alert("Please enter a valid household size and gross income.");
return;
}
// 2023-2024 FPL Guidelines (130% Gross)
var grossLimits = [1580, 2137, 2694, 3250, 3807, 4363, 4920, 5476];
var maxBenefits = [291, 535, 766, 973, 1155, 1386, 1532, 1751];
var standardDeductions = [198, 198, 198, 208, 244, 279, 279, 279];
var limit = 0;
var maxBenefit = 0;
var stdDed = 0;
if (hhSize limit) {
statusLabel.innerText = "Likely Ineligible";
statusLabel.style.color = "#e74c3c";
benefitValue.innerText = "$0";
resultDetails.innerHTML = "Your gross monthly income of $" + grossMonthly.toFixed(2) + " exceeds the federal limit of $" + limit + " for a household of " + hhSize + ".";
resultArea.style.backgroundColor = "#fdedec";
} else {
// Simplified Net Income Calculation
// 1. Subtract 20% earned income (assuming all income is earned for conservative estimate)
var adjustedIncome = grossMonthly * 0.8;
// 2. Subtract standard deduction
adjustedIncome = adjustedIncome – stdDed;
// 3. Subtract other expenses
adjustedIncome = adjustedIncome – otherExp;
// 4. Shelter Deduction calculation (Excess shelter = cost – 50% of adjusted income)
var shelterExcess = shelter – (adjustedIncome * 0.5);
if (shelterExcess 672) shelterExcess = 672;
var netIncome = adjustedIncome – shelterExcess;
if (netIncome < 0) netIncome = 0;
// SNAP benefit = Max Benefit – 30% of Net Income
var estimatedBenefit = maxBenefit – (netIncome * 0.3);
if (estimatedBenefit maxBenefit) estimatedBenefit = maxBenefit;
// Minimum benefit for HH size 1-2 is usually $23
if (estimatedBenefit < 23 && hhSize <= 2 && netIncome <= (limit/1.3)) {
estimatedBenefit = 23;
}
statusLabel.innerText = "Likely Eligible!";
statusLabel.style.color = "#27ae60";
benefitValue.innerText = "Up to $" + Math.round(estimatedBenefit) + " / month";
resultDetails.innerHTML = "Based on a household size of " + hhSize + ", your income is within the federal limits. This is an estimate; actual amounts vary by state and specific deductions.";
resultArea.style.backgroundColor = "#ebf5fb";
}
}