What disqualifies you from getting food stamps?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also called food stamps, provides monthly benefits to people who have a low income who need help buying groceries. To qualify for SNAP, you must meet certain income and household rules, but there are situations where you may not qualify.

Here’s a list of the most common reasons someone might be disqualified or receive a denial from SNAP.

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1. Your income is too high#1-your-income-is-too-high

One of the most common reasons people are denied SNAP is household income. SNAP looks at your gross income (before taxes) and sometimes net income (after certain deductions for expenses) to determine if you qualify.

Income limits (the maximum income you can have and still get SNAP) depend on your state, household size, and whether anyone in your household is elderly or disabled.

Even if your income seems “too high,” deductions for housing, utilities, childcare, or medical expenses may lower your countable income.

2. You don’t meet the household rules#2-you-dont-meet-the-household-rules

SNAP has specific rules about who counts as part of your household. While you can get SNAP as an individual, sometimes you may get denied if at some point in the process you:

• Didn't correctly list people you buy and prepare food with
• Left required household members off the application
• Applied separately from household members when SNAP rules require you to apply together

If any of these occur, you won’t be permanently denied SNAP, but you will have to correct the information, appeal the decision, or reapply, depending on your situation.

3. You don’t meet work requirements (if they apply to you)#3-you-dont-meet-work-requirements-if-they-apply-to-you

Some adults must meet work requirements in order to get and keep SNAP. If you are an “able-bodied adult” without dependents, you prove to the state that you’re working for the equivalent of 80 hours a month.

“Work” can look like any combination of working for pay, training programs, volunteering, or earning the equivalent of 80 hours of minimum wage through other means.

If you are not exempt from SNAP work requirements (seniors, people with disabilities, guardians of minors under a certain age, and pregnant people may all be exempt), failing to meet this requirement (or not showing proof that you’re meeting it) could be a reason for denial.

4. You missed a deadline#4-you-missed-a-deadline

When you are applying to SNAP (or recertifying your SNAP benefits), you usually have 10 to 30 days to respond to your state’s requests for information or required documents.

If you fail to provide any necessary information or don’t go to your SNAP interview before the deadline, you may be disqualified from SNAP.

If your SNAP case is closed, you have 30 days to re-open it or you will have to start the SNAP application from scratch.

5. Your immigration status doesn’t qualify#5-your-immigration-status-doesnt-qualify

Under federal SNAP rules, undocumented immigrants can’t qualify for SNAP. U.S. citizens, non-citizen U.S. nationals, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and Compacts of Free Association (COFA) citizens can all qualify for SNAP.

Lawful permanent residents (also known as Green Card-holders) are eligible for SNAP after a five-year waiting period with some exceptions for children, those who have worked in the U.S. for several years, seniors, people with disabilities, and some other allowed immigrant statuses.

Immigration rules are complex and vary by situation and state, so it’s best to contact your local SNAP office to learn more about how your immigration status affects your eligibility for food stamps.

6. You’re disqualified due to SNAP fraud#6-youre-disqualified-due-to-snap-fraud

If you were found to have broken SNAP rules on purpose (this is called food stamp fraud), you may be disqualified for a period of time or in extreme cases, permanently banned from the program.

Fraud stamp fraud includes things like lying on your SNAP application, misusing benefits, or getting benefits in multiple states, among other things.

If you are disqualified from SNAP because of fraud, other household members, especially children, may still qualify for benefits.

7. You’ve been convicted of a drug-related felony (in some cases)#7-youve-been-convicted-of-a-drug-related-felony-in-some-cases

In some states, certain drug-related felony convictions can disqualify you from SNAP for a period of time, or even permanently. Many states have ended or eased these restrictions, but how strict the rules are varies depending on where you live.

8. You live in an institution (with some exceptions)#8-you-live-in-an-institution-with-some-exceptions

SNAP is meant to provide benefits so you can have help purchasing food. If you live in an institution that provides meals, you usually can’t get SNAP. You may be disqualified for SNAP if you live in any of the following:

• A nursing home
• A prison or jail
• A long-term care institution

There are exceptions for certain group homes, shelters, or transitional housing situations. If you’re unsure, you should contact your local SNAP office and ask about your state’s rules and your living situation.

What usually does not disqualify you from SNAP#what-usually-does-not-disqualify-you-from-snap

Remember, SNAP rules vary by state. Even if you think you might not qualify, it’s usually better to apply for food stamps and let your state review your situation. Many people can qualify for help even when they didn’t expect to.

In most states, these do not automatically disqualify you from getting food stamps:

• Having savings or retirement accounts
• Owning a car or a house
• Being unemployed
• Being active duty in the military or a military veteran
• Receiving Social Security, SSI, or disability benefits
• Having medical or student loan debt