SNAP Excess Shelter Costs Deduction

The excess shelter deduction is for shelter costs that are more than half of the household's income after other deductions.

Allowable shelter costs include:

Fuel to heat and cook with.

Electricity.

Water.

The basic fee for one telephone.

Rent or mortgage payments and interest.

Taxes on the home.

Some states allow a set amount for utility costs instead of actual costs.

For a household with an elderly or disabled member, all shelter costs over half of the household's income may be deducted. For all other households, the excess shelter deduction is capped at (or limited to) $769. The limit is higher in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands .

Table 2: How to Calculate SNAP Net Income for Elderly/Disabled Household Elderly/Disabled Household Income Computation Example Determine household size... 2 people who are elderly or disabled. Add gross monthly income... $1,000 Social Security + $200 pension = $1,200 gross income. Subtract 20% earned income deduction... $0 earned income Subtract standard deduction... $1,200 - $217 standard deduction for a 2-person household = $983 Subtract dependent care deduction... $0 Subtract child support deduction... $0 Subtract medical costs over $35 for elderly and disabled... $983 - $300 excess medical expenses = $683 Excess shelter deduction... See below. Determine half of adjusted income... $68. adjusted income ÷ 2 = $341.50 Determine if shelter costs are more than half of adjusted income... $600 total shelter expenses - $341.50 (half of income) = $258.50 excess shelter cost Subtract excess amount, but not more than the limit, from adjusted income... $683 - $258.50 = $424.50 net monthly income Apply the net income test... Since the net monthly income is less than $1,804 allowed for 2-person household, the household has met the income test.

Note: This example is based on a 2-person household with elderly or disabled members living in the 48 contiguous states or the District of Columbia.

The total amount of SNAP benefits your household gets each month is called an allotment.

Because SNAP households are expected to spend about 30%of their own resources on food, your allotment is calculated by multiplying your household's net monthly income by 0.3, and subtracting the result from the maximum monthly allotment for your household size.

Table 3: SNAP Maximum Monthly Allotment Based on Household Size People in Household Maximum Monthly Allotment 1 $306 2 $562 3 $808 4 $1,023 5 $1,217 6 $1,463 7 $1,616 8 $1,841 9-17 $225 per additional person 18+ $3,887

Note: The allotments described here are for households in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. The allotments are different in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands .

Table 4: Example of SNAP Benefit Calculation Benefit Computation Example Multiply net income by 30%... (round up) $424.50 net monthly income from above calculation x 0.3 = $127.35 (round up to $128) Subtract 30% of net income from the maximum allotment for the household size... $562 maximum allotment for 2-person household - $128 (30% of net income) = $434, SNAP Allotment for a full month

Note: This example is based on a 2-person household with elderly or disabled members living in the 48 contiguous states or the District of Columbia.

Households that consist entirely of elderly or disabled members are not subject to work requirements, however most other households must meet work requirements to be eligible for SNAP.

SNAP eligibility has never been extended to undocumented non-citizens. Specific requirements for who may be eligible have changed substantially over the years and become more complicated in certain areas. The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 limits eligibility for SNAP benefits to U.S. citizens and certain lawfully present non-citizens.

Generally, to qualify for SNAP, non-citizens must meet one of the following criteria:

Have lived in the United States for at least 5 years;

Be receiving disability-related assistance or benefits; or

Be children under 18.

Additionally, these individuals must also satisfy other SNAP eligibility requirements such as income and resource limits in order to qualify for benefits.

If certain members of a household are ineligible for SNAP, state agencies must still determine eligibility for SNAP for any remaining household members who are seeking assistance.

For additional information see: SNAP Policy on Non-Citizen Eligibility and SNAP Guidance on Non-Citizen Eligibility .

If you disagree with a decision in your case, you may request a fair hearing with an official who is required by law to review the facts of your case in a fair and objective manner.

Note: You must request a fair hearing within 90 days of the day your local SNAP office made the decision in your case that you disagree with.

You can request a fair hearing over the phone, in writing, or in person at the local SNAP office.

Although a fair hearing cannot change the laws or regulations governing SNAP, it can ensure that decisions on your case have been made correctly.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov .

For additional information about SNAP in your state, to file an application for SNAP benefits, or to get information about your SNAP case, you must contact your local SNAP office.