Do you qualify for SNAP Food Stamps?



In order to receive SNAP Food Stamps you need to apply, you can get started with how to apply on this website. You can also go to your local SNAP office to receive assistance with your application.

Determining your eligibility for this program will depend on many factors. These include your gross income, your resources and it will depend on the number of people in your household. Your residency and citizenship status will also determine qualification.

U.S. citizens are eligible, but many legal aliens qualify for SNAP Food Stamps too. Those members of a household that are eligible to receive benefits will not be affected by any members of your household that cannot receive benefits. If you would like additional information about immigrant SNAP eligibility please see this website.

Screening for SNAP Food Stamps

Some people would like to prescreen their eligibility prior to apply for SNAP benefits. There are a few ways to do this. Please note, pre-screening is NOT an application, you must separately apply to receive benefits. The USDA provides an online pre-screening tool to help determine if you are eligible for benefits. This tool will also give an estimate of the amount of benefit you may receive. You can access the USDA pre-screening tool here.

If you need assistance in using the USDA's pre-screening tool, a tutorial is available here.

Many states vary on food stamp eligibility criteria, and the only way to determine if you qualify is to find out your state's specific eligibility criteria. Please view the following 'Just the Facts' video about qualifying for SNAP Food Stamps.



Indiana Eligibility Requirements

Indiana residents must meet SNAP eligibility guidelines otherwise Family and Social Services Administration may decline their application request.

  • Eligibility based on Income Guidelines: Net monthly income of a household must be at or below 100 percent of the specified Federal Poverty Level in order to qualify for SNAP benefits in Indiana. The amount a household can make depends on how many people will be receiving benefits. For example, a household of two people can have a net monthly income of up to $1,215 while a household of seven people can have a net monthly income of up to $2,773.
  • Eligibility based on Asset Limits: Countable assets of a family must be below $2,000 for you to qualify for SNAP benefits. If a household has either a senior member aged 60ears or older or disabled, the asset limit is $3,000. Items not counted as assets include child support, spousal support, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
  • Eligibility based on Immigration Status: Adult immigrants that are lawful permanent residents (LPRs) must undergo a waiting period of five years before they can receive food stamp benefits. However, if the immigrant household has children benefits may be given to the children immediately.

In order to qualify for SNAP benefits the applicants must meet the following requirements:

Non-financial requirements for the program:

  • Eligible applicants must be residents of Indiana
  • U.S. Citizens
  • Must be part of the Indiana Manpower and Comprehensive Training (IMPACT) program. IMPACT is a body that helps poor people with education, job search, job training and job placement. SNAP applicants are asked to begin their job search as soon as they enroll for food stamps. For people who do not find employment right away, a caseworker will help them develop a plan to find employment and become self reliant. A case worker may place some applicants in unpaid community service jobs with non-profit agencies.

Asset and gross income limits:

  • Households must have less than $2,000 in assets to qualify for SNAP
  • Household with a member who is at least 60 years old or disabled the asset limit is $3,000.
  • Household income must be below 130 percent of the Federal Poverty level, based on household size. This ranges from $1,174 a month for a single-member household, to $4,822 for a 10-member household.

You can inquire more about eligibility from the Family and Social Services Administration website: www.in.gov/fssa/dfr/.