Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps): Eligibility Requirements

For the period October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015, households may not have $2,250 or more in countable resources, such as a bank account, stocks or other resources - unless at least one person in the household is age 60 or older. If at least one person in the household is age 60 or older, the amount of resources which are permitted increases to $3,250.

The following resources are not counted toward a permitted limit:

• The home that you live in.
• The lot on which the home you live in sits.
• The resources of people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
• The resources of people who receive Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF), formerly called Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC).
• Most retirement accounts. (For a list of reitrement accounts that do not count as resources for SNAP purposes, click here . If there is a problem with the link, go to the USDA website at www.fns.usda.gov and type SNAP resources.)
• For vehicles, the fair market value over $4,650 or the equity value (whichever is more) is counted as a resource. However, one licensed vehicle per household is NOT counted if it is:
  • Used over 50% of the time for income-producing purposes, annually producing income consistent with its fair market value. OR
  • Used for work, training, or education to prepare for work, or to seek work in accordance with the food stamp employment and training requirements. OR
  • Used as the home. OR
  • Needed to transport a physically disabled household member. OR
  • Needed to carry most of the household's fuel or water.
  • For example, there are two cars in the household, one is worth $15,000, the other has a fair market value of $6,000. One car is used by a disabled person for medical visits so the $15,000 is not counted as a resource. Only $1,350 ($6,000 - $4,650) is counted toward the resource limit.

NOTE: States have the option to liberalize the rules for valuing a vehicle by a variety of different formulas.

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