SNAP Policy Quick-Reference Guide

The SNAP policy quick-reference guide will help you understand the potential impact of a new cash or in-kind benefit on a household’s SNAP benefits.

Deductions To determine a SNAP household’s monthly net income, there are certain allowable deductions that are subtracted from the household’s gross monthly income. Some of the deduction amounts are set by the Federal government and are subject to change each October 1.

20 percent deduction is applied to earned income (e.g., money from a job or self-employment).

A standard deduction is applied to all SNAP households. The standard deduction is $204 for households with 1 to 3 individuals, $254 for a household of 5, and $291 for households with 6 or more individuals (this may be higher for some larger households).

A dependent care deduction when needed for work, training, or education.

Legally owed child support payments.

Excess shelter costs that are more than half of the household’s income after all other deductions have been applied. The excess shelter deduction is capped at $712 unless one person in the household is elderly or disabled. Each household receives a standard utility allowance deduction of $374, which is updated every October 1, to account for utility costs such as fuel, electricity, and water. In addition to the standard, a household can claim the following allowable shelter costs:

Rent or mortgage payments and interest

Taxes on the home

Households with a person(s) age 60 years or older or a person with a disability can also deduct out-of-pocket medical expenses of more than $35. Payments made by insurance or someone else cannot be counted.

Resource Limits

Resources are things like bank accounts, money market funds, certificates of deposit, and stocks and bonds. Some things never count, such as the value of the home. Most District residents applying for SNAP are determined categorically eligible and do not have a limit on resources.

If you apply for SNAP, the District will review your information to determine if a resource limit applies.

For households that have a resource limit, households may have $3,000 in countable resources. If the household includes a person who is age 60 or older or a person who has a disability, the resource limit is $4,500. Resource limits are set by the Federal government and are subject to change each October 1.

Certification Period

Households approved for SNAP are assigned a certification period. The certification period is the length of time your household will receive benefits. In some cases, a certification period may end early if there is a change in circumstances that makes the household ineligible (e.g., receiving an increase in earned or unearned income).

Most SNAP households will receive a 12-month certification period. SNAP households that meet ESAP (Elderly Simplified Application Project) criteria will receive a 36-month certification period. Households that meet ESAP criteria are households in which:

All adults are age 60 or older and/or disabled, and

Do not have earned income.

Throughout the certification period, households are required to report specific changes. If the household wishes to continue receiving SNAP at the end of the certification period, the household will need to complete the recertification process.