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.

Nevada Eligibility Requirements

To receive SNAP benefits in Nevada, you must meet the following eligibility requirements.

You must be a U.S citizen or a qualified alien
You must provide Social Security Number or proof that you've applied for it. You must provide the same for all members of the household. If you don't provide it for any household members, they will be ineligible to receive SNAP benefits but their income will count for total household income.
You must meet income and resources guidelines.
You must meet work requirements and agree to work.

You can determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements or not through online SNAP pre-screening tool. You can access the tool by clicking here. However, the pre-screening tool only provides screening for your information and it doesn't make you eligible to receive benefits if the tool says so.

Being eligible for SNAP doesn't bar you from receiving additional food benefits. In fact, you can qualify for USDA state Food Distribution Program if your income is very low. Similarly, school age children receiving SNAP benefits may also receive additional benefits through programs such as School Lunch and School Breakfast. Women, children and Infants can receive additional benefits through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

In case you receive benefits from Indian Reservation (IR) food program, you will not be able to qualify for SNAP in Nevada. Similarly, if you receive SSI benefits from a cash-out state, you will not be eligible to apply for SNAP benefits in Nevada.

Work requirements for individual adults

If you don't have children and you are between the age of 18 and 49 years, you will have to work for at least 20 hours a week to receive SNAP benefits in Nevada. You will also have to meet some other work requirements for Nevada residents. If you don't meet these requirements, you will only receive SNAP benefits for three months during every three year period.

There are various exceptions to this rule. For example, if you live in a country with high unemployment rate, you may receive regular SNAP benefits despite failing to meet work-related requirements. Similarly, if you are exempted from SNAP employment and training program for some other reason, then this eligibility rule will not apply to you.

Income Requirements

To receive SNAP benefits in state of Nevada, your gross and net income must be within income limits as defined by the program. Your gross income will be your total earned income before any tax deductions while the income left after deductions is your net income. For household with at least one person with disability, the gross income limit is waived. They will only have to meet net income limits.

Click here to view the Gross and Net income Chart. Match your income against the appropriate household size. However, if you categorically qualify for SNAP benefits because you are SSI or TANF beneficiary, you won't have to meet compare your income to SNAP income chart. You will automatically meet income requirements for SNAP.

When computing your income, you can deduct up to $208 from your income as standard deduction. Similarly, if you're working, you can deduct 20% from gross income. The child care payments are also excluded when counting your income. You are also allowed shelter costs up to $459, including rent and any mortgage repayments you are making.

Resources/Assets requirement

You will also have to meet some requirements related to your assets or resources. Most families can have assets up to $2000 except for families with disabled or elderly. Households with an elderly or disabled person can have total assets up to $3,200.

When counting your assets, you should not include your income producing property or your home. Any personal items such as household goods, clothes, furniture etc are also excluded from resources/assets. Your primary vehicle is also excluded but it will be counted as an asset if it values more than $4,650. Similarly, your bank accounts including savings and current, stocks, bonds and deposit certificates are also counted as assets.