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.
Louisiana Eligibility Requirements
Louisiana SNAP-Food Stamps have certain categorical and financial criteria for awarding benefits. Applicants will have to be:
- U.S citizens or qualified aliens
- Residents of Louisiana
All persons in the household will have to register for work. They should also accept suitable employment. Some persons, such as those determined unfit for work, elderly, and disabled, are exempted from work registration.
Apart from these basic eligibility requirements, Louisiana SNAP (Food Stamps) also requires applicants to meet certain income and resources requirements.
Income Requirements
Households applying for SNAP will have to meet gross and net income requirements. However, households with an elderly person (aged 60 or above) or a disabled are only required to clear net income eligibility. The net and gross income limit varies with number of people in the household. Similarly, amount of SNAP benefits also varies with income requirements. Here is a chart to help you determine whether your household meets income limits or not.
Income Limits According to Household Size
| Household Size | Max Gross Monthly Eligibility Standard 130% Poverty | Max Gross Monthly Eligibility Standard 200% Poverty | Max Net Monthly Income Eligibility Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,580 | $2,430 | $1,215 |
| 2 | $2,137 | $3,288 | $1,644 |
| 3 | $2,694 | $4,144 | $2,072 |
| 4 | $3,250 | $5,000 | $2,500 |
| 5 | $3,807 | $5,858 | $2,929 |
| 6 | $4,364 | $6,714 | $3,357 |
| 7 | $4,921 | $7,570 | $3,785 |
| 8 | $5,478 | $8,424 | $4,214 |
| Each Additional Member | +$557 | +$858 | +$429 |
For households with more members, please add $429 in Gross monthly limit and $330 in Net monthly limit for each additional person. For benefits, add $150 for each additional household member.
Resources requirements
Households that require to pass resources eligibility test can't have more than $2000 in resources. Households with a person over 60 or disabled can have $3250 in resources and still qualify for SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits.
Households where an individual receives benefits from certain programs such as FITAP, KCSP, and STEP will be exempt from resources eligibility test.