Accuracy
How Accurate is This Website?
Our top priority is to provide the most reliable and up-to-date SNAP eligibility and benefit information available. Here's how we ensure accuracy:
1. Testing against real SNAP cases: Every year the USDA releases SNAP Quality Control data, anonymized but real SNAP household cases. We tested our calculator against 37,000 real SNAP cases, and it matched official benefit amounts 98.64% of the time within $2 for tested cases.
2. Transparent data: You can review the specific data and variables powering this calculator on this page. If there is any reason that data is missing - for example if it's not available anywhere on the internet - we'll actively work to obtain that data and note any gaps.
3. Working with experts: We have sought feedback and advice from SNAP program experts, whose insights help us ensure that our calculations and instructions are accurate. In the results section of the calculator, clicking on "How are gross and net income calculated?" will show step-by-step math behind the calculations for full transparency.
If you believe you've found an error or have feedback please reach out at support@snapscreener.com
Data
SNAP Screener Documentation
While the federal government sets the main SNAP eligibility and SNAP benefit amount formula, states can adjust income limits, deduction amounts, asset limits, and other components of the SNAP eligibility formula.
This means that the same household with the same income and expenses could get $100 per month in one state, $150 per month in another state, and then determined "not eligible" for SNAP in a third state. In many cases eligibility and benefit amounts will be similar between states, but it's important to look your state rules as no two states have exactly the same rules in all cases.
This website snapscreener.com is unofficial and is not affiliated with any government organization or SNAP program. However, we have collected eligibility rules for all states' SNAP programs, so that you can get an estimated benefit amount specific to your state.
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Official SNAP Data Sources
The USDA website often has compiled SNAP data for all states. However, sometimes the data requires more context, in which case this website refers to the state's SNAP manual.
USDA SNAP Eligibility Rules
Federal SNAP eligibility rules. The USDA sets the maximum and minimum benefit amounts, standard deduction amounts, how deductions are factored into benefit amounts, and the main formula for SNAP benefits.
BBCE States
USDA compiled list of BBCE states, their Gross Income and Asset limits.
State Options Report
USDA compiled list of states' SNAP options, including more advanced deductions like child support treatment options and standard medical deductions.
Standard Utility Allowances
USDA compiled list of states' utility deductions.
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Compiled State SNAP Data
To power our SNAP calculator, all important formula variables have been compiled into one table. See below for legend.
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Additional Notes
- Arkansas does use BBCE, however the impact is limited to temporary increases of the asset limit.
- Maryland and New Mexico also have minimum state-funded benefit amounts. However, the criteria currently isn't built into our calculator as it would require additional questions.
- Michigan allows actual expenses for installation and maintence of utilities even though otherwise only SUAs are allowed (potentially other states).
- Hawaii caps the alternative "actual costs" for utilities for phone at the phone allowance amount, which is not the case everywhere that allows actual costs (like Rhode Island).
- Hawaii may require utility standards to be prorated if utility expenses are shared with another household, which is not the case everywhere (like Minnesota).