Estimate your monthly "Basic Food" benefits for 2024
Yes (Higher Deduction)
No
How Washington Basic Food (SNAP) is Calculated
In Washington State, the food stamps program is officially called Basic Food. Eligibility is primarily determined by your household size and your gross monthly income. For most households in Washington, the gross income limit is 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
2024 Gross Income Limits (200% FPL)
1 Person: $2,430 / month
2 People: $3,287 / month
3 People: $4,143 / month
4 People: $5,000 / month
Maximum Monthly Benefits
The maximum amount of assistance you can receive depends on the number of people in your household:
Household Size
Max Benefit
1
$291
2
$535
3
$766
4
$973
Important Example
A family of 3 in Seattle with a gross monthly income of $3,000 would pass the gross income test ($3,000 is less than the $4,143 limit). The actual benefit amount is calculated by taking the Max Benefit for 3 ($766) and subtracting 30% of their "net income" after deductions like rent and utilities are considered.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate only. Official eligibility is determined exclusively by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).
function calculateWASnap() {
var size = parseInt(document.getElementById('householdSize').value);
var grossIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById('grossIncome').value) || 0;
var housing = parseFloat(document.getElementById('housingCost').value) || 0;
var hasHeating = document.getElementById('utilitySelection').value;
var resultArea = document.getElementById('resultArea');
var statusDiv = document.getElementById('eligibilityStatus');
var benefitDiv = document.getElementById('benefitAmount');
var detailsDiv = document.getElementById('details');
// 2024 200% FPL Limits (approximate WA Broad Based Categorical Eligibility)
var grossLimits = [0, 2430, 3287, 4143, 5000, 5857, 6714, 7570, 8427, 9284, 10141];
// Max Monthly Benefit (Oct 2023 – Sept 2024)
var maxBenefits = [0, 291, 535, 766, 973, 1155, 1386, 1532, 1751, 1970, 2189];
// Standard Deduction 2024
var standardDeductions = [0, 198, 198, 198, 208, 244, 279, 279, 279, 279, 279];
var limit = size <= 10 ? grossLimits[size] : grossLimits[10] + ((size – 10) * 857);
var maxBen = size <= 10 ? maxBenefits[size] : maxBenefits[10] + ((size – 10) * 219);
var stdDed = size limit) {
statusDiv.innerHTML = "Not Eligible Based on Income";
statusDiv.style.color = "#c0392b";
benefitDiv.innerHTML = "$0";
detailsDiv.innerHTML = "Your gross monthly income of $" + grossIncome.toFixed(2) + " exceeds the limit of $" + limit.toFixed(2) + " for a household of " + size + ".";
return;
}
// Calculation Logic
// 1. Adjusted Income
var adjIncome = grossIncome – stdDed;
if (adjIncome < 0) adjIncome = 0;
// 2. Shelter Deduction
// WA Standard Utility Allowance (SUAS) is approx $478 if they have heating/cooling
var sua = (hasHeating === 'yes') ? 478 : 0;
var totalShelterCosts = housing + sua;
var excessShelter = totalShelterCosts – (adjIncome * 0.5);
if (excessShelter 672) excessShelter = 672;
// 3. Net Monthly Income
var netIncome = adjIncome – excessShelter;
if (netIncome < 0) netIncome = 0;
// 4. Benefit Calculation
// Benefit = Max Benefit – (30% of Net Income)
var estimate = maxBen – (netIncome * 0.3);
if (estimate 0 && estimate < 23 && size <= 2) estimate = 23; // Minimum benefit for 1-2 person households
resultArea.style.backgroundColor = '#d4edda';
statusDiv.innerHTML = "Potentially Eligible";
statusDiv.style.color = "#155724";
benefitDiv.innerHTML = "$" + Math.floor(estimate) + " / month";
detailsDiv.innerHTML = "Breakdown:" +
"- Gross Income Limit for " + size + ": $" + limit + "" +
"- Maximum Possible Benefit: $" + maxBen + "" +
"- Estimated Deductions Applied: $" + (stdDed + excessShelter).toFixed(0) + "" +
"This is a rough estimate. For a final determination, apply at Washington Connection or visit a DSHS office.";
}