Most people who apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits may also qualify for other state disability benefits, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps. But how much can a disabled person get on food stamps?
Food stamp eligibility for those receiving Social Security Disability Insurance depends on income and resource limitations. The minimum SNAP benefit amount for a single-person household is $23, whereas the maximum benefit can amount to $281. The exact amount you get is based on a number of factors.
To learn more about eligibility conditions and application procedures, applicants can contact their neighborhood Department of Social Services or Department of Human Services.
This article will examine the eligibility of SSDI recipients for food assistance.
Guidelines for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
SNAP helps millions of families and adults nationwide purchase the wholesome foods they require to maintain their health on a budget. You must meet particular asset and income requirements specified and governed by the state where you reside to be eligible for SNAP benefits and submit an application.
Most SNAP policies are general and apply to all households. Regardless of age, the program also has additional eligibility requirements for those with disabilities.
Disability Criteria According to SNAP
According to SNAP guidelines, if you fit any one of the following descriptions, you are considered disabled:
- You receive Social Security benefits for disabilities or blindness, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
- You get SSI-compliant state disability or blindness payments.
- A government organization pays you a disability retirement pension due to a permanent impairment.
- You need frequent assistance and attendance because you are a fully disabled veteran, chronically housebound, or both.
- You are a veteran receiving VA benefits and are regarded as chronically disabled.
SNAP Eligibility Criteria
Your household must meet the following two requirements to qualify for SNAP benefits:
- Your net monthly income must be equal to or less than the current federal poverty level
- Your countable assets cannot exceed $4,250.
If you live alone, your net income can be $1,133 or less. It will be $1,526 for a two-person household. However, you may categorically qualify for SNAP without meeting the net income test if you reside in a household where every member receives SSI benefits.
Does SNAP Count SSDI Benefits as Income?
SNAP does not consider all of your income when calculating your eligibility for food stamps if you are receiving SSDI disability compensation.
Your earned and unearned income, including SSDI benefits, counts when you apply for SNAP. Examples of earned income include pay from employment. Unreimbursed out-of-pocket medical expenses may be used to help you pass the net income test and qualify for SNAP assistance under the SNAP excess medical expense deduction provision.
This deduction can be substantial for you, depending on your circumstances. In fact, you can even get higher SNAP benefits because of it.
How Much Can A Disabled Person Get in Food Stamps?
Because of the limitations they face, people with disabilities may have fewer employment options, and they may also experience additional obstacles in the workforce. Fortunately, individuals who qualify for SNAP benefits can receive assistance in getting the resources necessary to put food on the table for themselves and their families.
The amount that a disabled person can get on food stamps depends on their income, household size, and resources, among other things.
For example, if you are disabled and also earn money from a job or a pension, the amount of money you get in SNAP benefits will change depending on your financial status and expenses, as well as the eligibility conditions in your state.
If you have a higher income, then the SNAP benefits that you are eligible for will be lower. There is a calculator available on the website of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that can help you determine whether or not you are eligible to receive SNAP benefits based on the amount of money you make and the number of people living in your household.
Nonetheless, people who receive SSI are subject to a unique set of regulations. In the case of a single SSI beneficiary, for instance, the maximum monthly SNAP benefit amount is $194.
It is possible that you could be eligible for up to $355 in additional food stamp benefits each month if your spouse is receiving SSI benefits. These figures may vary greatly based on other factors, such as the state in which you live.
In general, disabled people have greater nutritional needs and, consequently, higher medical costs, both of which may qualify them for enhanced benefit amounts.
Average SNAP Benefit Amounts in 2023
Beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are expected to spend 30% of their net income on food. The maximum benefit, which is proportional to the price of the USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), is given to families who have no net income at all.
TFP is the estimated amount of money it would take for a low-income family to buy and prepare a diet that would provide all the nutrients recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
The United States Department of Agriculture finally updated the TFP in August 2021, which increased SNAP payments and made it possible for millions of families to afford a balanced, nutritious diet. However, this hike was related to the pandemic and was revoked in February 2023.
An individual’s or family’s monthly SNAP benefit is calculated by taking the maximum benefit for their household size and subtracting the expected contribution of 30% of the household’s net income.
Take a family of three as an example: if they had no income, they would be given the whole $740 monthly benefit; if they had $600 in net monthly income, they would get the full benefit minus 30% of their income, or $560.
After deducting the temporary pandemic-related hikes in February 2023, it is projected that SNAP benefits per person will be $182 per month, or $6.00 per person per day. This figure is reflective of the higher TFP as well as the consequences of recent inflation in food costs.
How to Apply for SNAP
Check with your local SNAP office. Each state creates its own SNAP application and requirements. While some states allow you to apply for SNAP online, not all of them do so, and you may need to apply by phone or mail. Before filling out the forms, you will also need documented evidence of your annual net income, household size, and countable assets.
Conclusion
SNAP provides great relief to people with disabilities in the form of food assistance. In fact, disabled people can be eligible for higher amounts of food stamps than non-disabled people.
Food stamps can be used by people receiving SSDI benefits. However, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility criteria are based on income and have resource restrictions. Those with disabilities who meet certain requirements and income caps could be eligible for SNAP benefits.
All sources of income, including SSDI benefits, must be considered for a person to be eligible for assistance; however, certain expenses may be deducted.
Applicants can get more information about eligibility conditions and the application process by contacting their local Department of Social Services or Department of Human Services. Each state has its own SNAP application procedure.
