Every month, millions of households receive Supplemental Food Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to help with basic grocery bills. SNAP benefits provide families with vital funds to pay for food, and more people are using the system than ever before.
Through the whole country One in seven American families currently participate in the program.a number that has risen substantially during the pandemic.
Rising inflation has exacerbated concerns about household finances in recent months, and SNAP benefits have received additional funding for 2022. The average allowance will increase, which will give many a little respite. However, SNAP is distributed through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which prevent families from shopping at certain stores and restrict the products that can be purchased with payments.
Who is eligible for SNAP benefits?
Eligibility for SNAP benefits is primarily dependent on household income and resources because the program is designed to support those who are experiencing financial hardship.
Federal regulations dictate that recipients must meet three tests:
– Gross monthly income – Household income must be at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL), which equates to $2,379 per month for a family of three. The threshold is higher for large families.
– Net profit – After applying all deductions, this figure must not exceed the FPL.
– Resources – Households can have assets of up to $2,500 or $3,750 if they include persons with disabilities or persons 60 years of age or older.
For more information about what counts as income and an asset, see the SNAP Eligibility Guide.
What are the SNAP income limits for 2022?
For families of four living in the contiguous 48 states, including the District of Columbia, the maximum allocation for the year will be $835.
For families of four living in other parts of the United States, max $1667 in Alaskaand those in Hawaii can get a maximum of $1,573..
In two dependent regions of the United States, families in Guam can get a maximum of $1,231.and those in US Virgin Islands could get up to $1,074the same, at least in Alaska.
As of March 2020, the federal government has approved an expansion of SNAP benefits. This extension ensures that SNAP recipients automatically receive the maximum set amountif their condition meets certain criteria.
To find out if you qualify for the maximum SNAP amount, check your state website.