NLSA - Food Stamps Calculator for Household with Elderly or Disabled Member

Food Stamps for Households with an Elderly or Disabled Person

Are you eligible for food stamps? If your household income is low, you may be eligible for food stamps. If you have a person in your household who is disabled or who is age 60 or older, you may be eligible for a larger food stamp allotment The amount of your food stamp allotment depends upon your family size and income after subtracting various expenses. The Welfare Office uses a computer to find out if a household is eligible for food stamps and to figure out the amount of the food stamp allotment. However, the computer will give the wrong answer if your caseworker puts in the wrong information. In most cases, you can figure out the correct food stamp allotment by following the steps below. Theses steps are for households with an elderly or disabled person.
For all these steps, use monthly figures for the entire household.

Find your adjusted household income per month.
1. Gross earned income $
2. Subtract 20% of the gross earned income - $
3. Add all other income, such as welfare and SSI + $
  Subtract standard deduction - $ 134 (1-3 people)
4. Subtract dependent care costs needed for work or job training/education (Maximum: $200 per dependent under 2 years of age, $175 for other dependents) - $
5. Subtract medical expenses over $35 for elderly or disabled person - $
6. Subtract child support being paid to a non-household member - $
  
  Adjusted household income $
Find your excess shelter costs per month.
1. Rent, mortgage, or mobile home payment $
2. Add home insurance costs + $
3. Add property taxes + $
4. Add the larger amount of
  1. The standard utility allowance: $452 if you are responsible for all utilities, including heating or cooling. $242 if you are responsible for two utilities, but not for heating and cooling, or $48 for one utility but not for heating, cooling or phone
  2. Your bills for all utilities: electric, gas, oil, coal, water, sewer, installation charges, garbage, and $31 for phone service (this does not include cable or satellite television) + $
5. Total A. through D. $
6. Subtract ½ of your adjusted household income (see step 1 above) - $
  
  Excess shelter costs $
Find the net income per month for your household.
1. Adjusted household income $
2. Subtract excess shelter costs - $
  (If you are homeless but expect to have some
  shelter costs this month, subtract $143)
  
  Net income $

Find your monthly food stamp allotment.

Maximum benefit level for family size (See chart below) $

Subtract 30% of your household's net income - $

Food stamp allotment $

Family Size	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	+1
Maximum benefit level	$155	$284	$408	$518	$615	$738	$816	$932	$117

If you calculated a food stamp allotment which is different from the amount you are currently receiving, you may want to contact your welfare caseworker. You will need to show your caseworker written proof of your income and expenses

If the food stamp allotment is $0 or less, your household is probably not eligible for any food stamps. However, if there are only one or persons in your household and everyone in your household is receiving cash assistance or SSI, you should receive at least $10 per month in food stamps.

If your income, expenses, or circumstances change every month, the Welfare Office will put you on "Retrospective Budgeting." This means that you will report your income and expenses to the Welfare Office every month and the Welfare Office will use these figures to re-calculate your food stamps. For example, your income and expenses for March will be used to calculate your food stamps for May.

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Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3799
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Site last updated Friday, April 16, 2010 10:33