Food stamps aid families and individuals who struggle to afford enough nutritious food on a monthly basis. In 2008, the program officially became the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Rules and regulations for SNAP are set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, while each state distributes funds to needy residents. South Carolina's SNAP is managed by the Department of Social Services. In order to receive SNAP, you will have to meet certain requirements.
Household Size
SNAP is open both to single people and families. Your household size is used to determine your eligibility, however. A household is not just defined by the number of people living under one roof. According to the South Carolina state Department of Social Services, a household is "the number of people who live in a household and buy food and prepare meals together."
Income
Just as household size refers to everyone living and preparing meals together, so does household income. It is not only the income of the head of the household which is counted, but the income of everyone in the house. Your household cannot exceed the limit for both gross and net monthly income for a family of your size and still be eligible for food stamps in South Carolina. Gross income is the household's total income before any deductions have been calculated, while net income is the result after allowable deductions have been factored. In 2011, the federal gross monthly income limit for a household of one is $1,174, while the gross limit for a family of four is $2,389.
Allowable Deductions
Your net income level for SNAP is decided according to how many allowable deductions your household has. A 20 percent deduction as an earned income credit is allowed by the USDA, as is a standard deduction of $142 per month for households with one to three people and $153 for larger households. You may also qualify for deductions because of legally owed child support payments, medical expenses for disabled or elderly members and for child care needed because of work, school or training.
Assets
South Carolina applies an asset test to determine whether or not your household is eligible for SNAP. In 2011, you cannot have countable assets worth more than $2,000. This level rises to $3,000 if at least one person in your household is disabled or 60 years or older. Certain resources cannot be counted as assets, such as a licensed vehicle used for income production, income from retirement pension plans and benefits from Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and Supplemental Security Income.
Online Benefits Check
You cannot be certain whether or not you can receive SNAP until you apply. However, if you would like to have an idea in advance, you can use the South Carolina Department of Social Services online benefits check. The site will ask you questions about your family size, assets, child care expenses, utility bills and overall finances to provide a preliminary decision regarding your SNAP eligibility. The South Carolina SNAP benefits check is confidential and not official, however, so even if you do see that you may be eligible for benefits, you will still need to apply at your local DSS office.
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