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The Online Resource for Massachusetts Poverty Law Advocates

The Online Resource for Massachusetts Poverty Law Advocates

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  1. Home
  2. 2024 SNAP Advocacy Guide
  3. SNAP Part III -- Financial Eligibility

SNAP Part III -- Financial Eligibility

Financial eligiblity rules.

61. Can I enroll in an education or training program through DTA's "SNAP Path to Work" program?
62. What is financial eligibility?

Table of Contents

  • About MLRI, Acknowledgements, and Copyright
  • Introduction
  • SNAP Part I -- Application and Proofs
    • 01. How do I apply for SNAP benefits?
    • 02. What happens after I apply?
    • 03. When am I eligible for expedited (emergency) benefits?
    • 04. What is Bay State CAP for SSI recipients?
    • 05. Can I register to vote when I apply for SNAP?
    • 06. Can someone else help me apply for SNAP?
    • 07. What is an Authorized Representative?
    • 08. Can I give someone permission to talk with DTA about my SNAP case?
    • 09. How do I apply if I live in a group home, substance abuse center or teen program?
    • 10. Does DTA have to interview me?
    • 11. What happens during the interview?
    • 12. What proofs does DTA need and when?
    • 13. What information can I self-declare?
    • 14. What proofs are optional?
    • 15. How do I send DTA my documents?
    • 16. Should DTA help me if I am having trouble getting proofs?
    • 17. What if DTA does not accept the proofs I sent them?
    • 18. What if DTA questions my income or my living expenses?
    • 19. If I move, how do I report my new address?
    • 20. Can I get my SNAP case reopened if I am denied for lack of proofs?
    • 21. What if DTA does not give me SNAP back to the date I applied (“pro-rating”)?
    • 22. How do I get information about my SNAP by phone?
    • 23. How do I get information about my SNAP case online or with my smartphone?
    • 24. Does DTA send text messages or emails?
    • 25. What is the Senior Assistance Office?
    • 26. What if I do not speak English?
    • 27. What if I am deaf or hard of hearing?
    • 28. What if a disability makes it hard for me to apply or comply with DTA rules?
    • 29. How do I ask DTA for an accommodation?
    • 30. What are my rights if DTA denies my reasonable accommodation?
    • 31. How can the DTA Ombudsman Office help?
    • 32. What if I have concerns about my safety and access to my case information?
    • 33. What is a Photo EBT card and who needs to have one?
  • SNAP Part II -- General Eligibility Rules
    • 34. What is a SNAP household or assistance unit?
    • 35. Can I get benefits separately from other people I live with?
    • 36. Who cannot be a separate SNAP household?
    • 37. What if I live with others but I have a disability that makes it difficult to prepare my food?
    • 38. Are there special rules for seniors and persons with disabilities?
    • 39. How do I show DTA I am disabled?
    • 40. What if I am homeless or live in a shelter?
    • 41. Am I eligible for SNAP if I live in a hospital, school, or other institution?
    • 42. What if I am a boarder or I live in someone else’s home?
    • 43. What if I am caring for a foster child?
    • 44. What if I am providing adult foster care to an older adult or person with disabilities?
    • 45. What if I am a college student?
    • 46. What if I have a criminal record or DTA says I’m a “fleeing felon” or violating my probation?
    • 47. Who is considered a United States citizen?
    • 48. Am I eligible for federal or state-funded SNAP if I am a legal immigrant?
    • 49. How does my work history help so I don’t wait five years for SNAP?
    • 50. If I am a disabled immigrant, do I need to wait five years for SNAP?
    • 51. What are the special immigrant rules for battered immigrants?
    • 52. Can my children get benefits if I am an ineligible immigrant?
    • 53. Will getting SNAP benefits hurt my immigration status?
    • 54. How does DTA count the income of an ineligible immigrant?
    • 55. Does the income of an immigrant’s sponsor count?
    • 56. Are there work rules for SNAP?
    • 57. What happens if I quit a job shortly before applying for SNAP?
    • 58. What is considered a "good cause" reason if I quit my job?
    • 59. What are the rules if I am on strike?
    • 60. What is the “ABAWD” 3-month time limit for childless adults ages 18 to 50?
    • 61. Can I enroll in an education or training program through DTA's "SNAP Path to Work" program?
  • SNAP Part III -- Financial Eligibility
    • 62. What is financial eligibility?
    • 63. When do assets count?
    • 64. Is there a gross income test for SNAP?
    • 65. What income is not counted?
    • 66. Does DTA count gifts or contributions?
    • 67. What is earned income?
    • 68. How does DTA double-check income and other information?
    • 69. How is self-employment income counted?
    • 70. What is unearned income?
    • 71. How is rental income treated?
    • 72. How does DTA calculate my income for each month?
    • 73. Does DTA count money that is withheld or garnished from my cash benefits?
    • 74. How does DTA count the income of someone not eligible in my SNAP household?
    • 75. What deductions are allowed against my income?
    • 76. What medical expenses can I claim if I am elderly or disabled?
    • 77. Can I claim the medical expenses I used for my public or subsidized housing rent?
    • 78. What is the child support exclusion?
    • 79. What is the childcare/dependent care deduction?
    • 80. What is the Standard Utility Allowance and what is Heat and Eat?
    • 81. What is the shelter deduction and how is it calculated?
    • 82. What is the homeless deduction?
  • SNAP Part IV -- Getting and Using SNAP Benefits
    • 83. How much will I get in SNAP benefits each month?
    • 84. When will I get my SNAP benefits?
    • 85. Why do some households get only $23 in SNAP each month?
    • 86. What is an EBT card, how do I use SNAP benefits, and where can I shop?
    • 87. What is the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) at farmers markets?
    • 88. Can I use my EBT benefits out of state?
    • 89. If I forget to use my EBT card, does my case close or will I lose benefits?
    • 90. What if I was getting SNAP in another state or DTA says I am part of another SNAP household?
    • 91. What if I my EBT card is lost or stolen?
    • 92. What if my SNAP benefits were stolen or “skimmed”?
    • 93. What if I lose food due to a power outage, a fire or a natural disaster?
    • 94. What if DTA makes a mistake and owes me money?
  • SNAP Part V -- Proving Continuing Eligibility
    • 95. What changes do I need to report to DTA?
    • 96. What is Simplified Reporting and when must I report changes to DTA?
    • 97. What is the Interim Report and when do I need to do one?
    • 98. What are the reporting rules for older adults and persons with disabilities without earned income (EDSAP)?
    • 99. What is Change Reporting for cash assistance households?
    • 100. What happens when DTA receives information about me after my SNAP application is approved?
    • 101. When do I need to recertify for SNAP and what do I do?
    • 102. If my TAFDC case closes, do my SNAP benefits continue?
    • 103. How quickly will DTA increase my SNAP if my income decreases or my expenses increase?
  • SNAP Part VI -- Appeal Rights
    • 104. What are my rights if DTA denies, cuts or stops my SNAP?
    • 105. If I have the proofs DTA wanted, should I still ask for a hearing?
    • 106. Can I fix problems without going to a hearing?
    • 107. How much time do I have to ask for a fair hearing and will my benefits continue?
    • 108. How do I file an appeal to get a fair hearing?
    • 109. How should I present my case at the hearing?
    • 110. When will I get a decision and what should I do if I lose?
  • SNAP Part VII -- Overpayments and Fraud
    • 111. What if I was overpaid SNAP benefits?
    • 112. How do I know if I have an overpayment?
    • 113. How does DTA calculate the amount of the SNAP overpayment?
    • 114. How can I get more information from DTA about my overpayment?
    • 115. When do I have to repay an overpayment?
    • 116. What if DTA says I committed fraud or an Intentional Program Violation (IPV)?
    • 117. What is DTA required to do to show I committed fraud?
    • 118. Can DTA suspend or stop my SNAP benefits if I committed an IPV or fraud?
    • 119. What should I do if contacted by the Bureau of Special Investigations?
    • 120. Can I go to jail? Will I have a criminal record?
  • SNAP Appendices
    • Appendix A: SNAP Worksheet
    • Appendix B: Income and Benefits Standards
    • Appendix C: Important DTA Forms and Charts
    • Appendix D: Cash and SNAP Benefits for Immigrants
    • Appendix E: Massachusetts Legal Services Offices
    • Appendix G: Crosswalk Chart with Key Sections of DTA Online Guide
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