There are three eligibility tests for SNAP: the Gross Income, the Net Income, and the Asset tests. Depending on your state and whether your household has a member who is 60 or older or has a disability, your household may be exempt from the Gross Income, Net Income, and/or Asset tests.
South Carolina has expanded eligibility beyond the standard federal SNAP eligibility requirements, which is why other websites may display stricter financial eligibility requirements than what you see on this page.
While the Gross Income and Asset tests are straightforward, Net Income is more difficult to calculate. We recommend using our SNAP Eligibility Calculator to see you're income eligible for SNAP benefits.
This information was collected from USDA and state SNAP resources but is not official. This website is not affiliated with any government organization or SNAP/WIC program.
Total monthly household income before taxes, including job, self-employment, and other income like social security, disability, child support, worker's comp, unemployment, and pension income.
Income LimitsIf the household has any members who are 60 or older or have a disability, the household only has to meet the gross income test if the household has over $4250 in assets.
$1579 / month $2137 / month $2693 / month $3250 / month $3807 / month $4364 / month $4920 / monthEach additional person
The gross income limit is 130% of the federal poverty level. Expanded Income Limits If All Adult Household Members are 60 or Older or Have a Disability $2430 / month $3288 / month $4144 / month $5000 / month $5858 / month $6714 / month $7570 / monthEach additional person
The gross income limit for households where 1. All adult household members are 60 or older or have a disability and 2. Don't meet the asset test - is 200% of the federal poverty level.
Net income is a household's gross income minus deductions.
At the bottom of the page are some of the expenses that can be deducted to calculate net income. It's difficult to calculate net income without a SNAP calculator as the shelter-related expenses (utilities and rent) can only be deducted if they exceed half the household's income after other deductions have been applied. Additionally, there is a limit on the maximum shelter deduction for some households.
SNAP benefit amounts are based on a household's net income. While there are minimum and maximum SNAP benefit amounts, in general $100 more in net income = $30 less in benefits.
Households with a member who is 60 or older or has a disability only have to meet this test if they did not pass the Gross Income test above. All other households do not have to meet this test.
SNAP benefit amounts are based on Net Income. Even if the household passes all the eligibility tests, Net Income may be too high to get a benefit.