SNAP Eligibility Requirements

General Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for the District of Columbia (District) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is based on income, resources, and the number of individuals applying together as a household or may be based on the fact that you receive another type of assistance, such as Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI).

Click here to see if you may be eligible for SNAP benefits

SNAP Household A household is everyone who lives together and purchases and prepares meals together as a group. Spouses and most children under age 22 are automatically included in the same SNAP household even if they purchase and prepare meals separately.

SNAP Income Limits

In general, each SNAP household member’s income is counted together and compared to the income limits to determine eligibility. Income includes money earned from a job or self-employment and money received from sources like the United States Social Security Administration (SSA) or retirement.

Households must meet both a gross and net monthly income limit for their household size (see Table 1 below). Households with a person(s) age 60 years or older or a person with a disability only need to meet the net monthly income limit.

Gross income means a SNAP household’s total income before any deductions

Net income means a SNAP household’s total gross income minus allowable deductions

If the SNAP household receives Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash benefits, TANF non-cash benefits, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the SNAP household is considered categorically eligible for SNAP. Categorical eligibility for SNAP means the household has already been determined eligible for another means-tested program. Most District residents applying for SNAP are determined categorically eligible.