65. What income is not counted?

DTA looks at total monthly income to decide if you are eligible for SNAP benefits and how much you will get—but not all income counts. 106 C.M.R. §§ 363.220(C), 363.230.

Here are examples of income that does not count for SNAP:

  • Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credits, and other federal and state tax refunds/tax payments. 
  • Non-recurring, one-time lump sum payments such as insurance settlements or back benefits from other programs. 106 C.M.R. §§ 363.130(D), 363.230(I), 363.140(H)(6). Other examples include inheritances, tax credits, damage awards, and one-time severance pay.
  • VISTA, YouthBuild, AmeriCorps, and Foster Grandparent allowances, earnings, or payments for persons otherwise eligible.
  • Legally obligated child support payments that you pay for a child who is living outside your home. See Question 78.
  • Universal Basic Income (UBI) pilot program payments funded (fully or in-part) by a private or nonprofit organization. See the DTA Online Guide for a full list.
  • Reimbursements – money you get to pay you back for expenses, including training-related expenses and medical expenses. Payment received for certain DTA Employment and Training programs is noncountable as a reimbursement payment.
  • Anything you do not get as cash – such as free housing or food, or money that is paid directly to a landlord or utility company made by a relative, friend or agency that has no legal obligation to do so.
  • Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) stipends paid to older workers doing part time community service work.
  • Cash contributions given to you that provide for part of your housing, food or other needs that are paid by a person or agency that has no legal obligation to do so. See Question 66.
  • Veterans Services (M.G.L. c. 115) payments made by vendor payment directly to your landlord or utility company.
  • Money earned by a child under age 18 who is attending high school or elementary school, provided the child lives with a parent or other responsible adult.
  • Up to $30 per household member in a three-month period that is not regular (such as money from odd jobs).
  • Up to $300 in a three-month period from private charities.
  • All financial aid - federal, state and local and private - to college students. This includes grants, loans, scholarships, work-study, assistantships and fellowships. See Question 45.
  • Loans from private individuals and financial institutions, including loans on the equity of a home (reverse mortgages). See Question 66.
  • The first $130 per month in training stipends.
  • Combat pay earned by a service member while they are actively serving in a federally-designated combat zone.
  • Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.

Verification of non-countable income

The SNAP regulations state that you do not need to verify non-countable income unless the information you provide is inconsistent or questionable. See 106 C.M.R. §§ 361.610(A),(K), 363.210(D). See Question 17 regarding when something is considered “questionable.” 

DTA Online Guide

See Appendix G for links to the DTA’s BEACON Online Guide for this section.

64. Is there a gross income test for SNAP?
66. Does DTA count gifts or contributions?