Question re: SNAP. I'm in MA and could use the food stamp help so

[virgogal]

Last edited Thu Sep 20, 2012, 05:43 PM - Edit history (1)

I filled out the Project Bread calculator and it said I was eligible for about $140.00 a month which would be a godsend.

I'm confused,though. My pension and SS pay my mortgage,prop taxes,and condo fee.

I have to pull some money from a savings account for everything else---food,clothing,gas,heat,electricity,medical,etc.

The calculator never asked about savings or investments. Is this unusual or is it common in all states?

[SickOfTheOnePct]

1. This link might help

http://www.massresources.org/snap-financial-eligibility.html#assethouseholds

Looks like asset tests are eliminated except for certain households, however if a senior resides in the home and income is greater than 200% of federal poverty guidelines for household size, they will look at assets.

[virgogal]

4. Thanks for that link---will check it out.

[REP]

2. SNAP USDA

"Households may have $2,000 in countable resources, such as a bank account, or $3250 in countable resources if at least one person is age 60 or older, or is disabled.  However, certain resources are NOT counted, such as a home and lot, the resources of people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the resources of people who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF, formerly AFDC), and most retirement (pension) plans.

The procedures for handling vehicles are determined at the state level. States have the option of substituting the vehicle rules used in their TANF assistance programs for SNAP vehicle rules when it results in a lower attribution of household assets. A number of States exclude the entire value of the household’s primary vehicle as an asset. In States that count the value of vehicles, the fair market value of each licensed vehicle that is not excluded is evaluated. Currently 39 States exclude the value of all vehicles entirely. 11 States totally exclude the value of at least one vehicle per household. The 3 remaining states exempt an amount higher than the SNAP’s standard auto exemption (currently set at $4,650) from the fair market value to determine the countable resource value of a vehicle. For more information concerning State specific vehicle policy, check with the State agency that administers the SNAP program."

http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/applicant_recipients/eligibility.htm

[SickOfTheOnePct]

3. If virgogal's income is under a certain amount

she won't face any kind of asset test. States have that option.

[virgogal]

6. Thanks for the info----my income is pretty low,but I'll have to check the limits and

do more research.

[virgogal]

5. Thanks for the info---God it's confusing (to me at least).