- 1). Determine whether your income meets the gross income limit. In 2009, this limit was $1,174 per month for one person. Add $405 for each household member up to eight people. Add $406 per household member over eight people. Count all income, earned and unearned (cash assistance, rent received) from all household members, unless it's excluded (see Tips section).
- 2). Deduct 20 percent from all household gross earned income. This deduction is for income derived from employment or self-employment.
- 3). Subtract the standard deduction. In 2009, this was $141 for a household containing one to three people, $153 for four, $179 for five and $205 for six people.
- 4). Deduct monthly dependent care expenses when this care is needed for a parent to work or attend school or training.
- 5). Subtract monthly medical expenses for an elderly person (age 60 or over). Use expenses over $35 monthly that are not covered by insurance.
- 6). Deduct monthly child support payments that are paid by court order.
- 7). Deduct $143 if you are homeless and your state allows this deduction.
- 8). Divide your adjusted gross income (your income after you've taken all allowable deductions) by two.
- 9). Total your monthly shelter costs: rent or mortgage, homeowners' insurance and utilities. Cable or satellite television service is not allowable.
- 10
Subtract your shelter costs from the income amount in Step 8 (half of your adjusted gross income). If the result is zero, you can't receive a deduction for excess shelter costs. If the result is more than zero, this is your excess shelter cost deduction. Subtract it from your total adjusted gross income, the figure you arrived at before you divided by two in Step 8.
This deduction is limited to $459 unless the household contains at least one elderly or disabled member (see Tips section). In that case, the deduction is unlimited. - 11
Compare the figure in Step 10 to the net income limit. In 2009, the net income limit for one person was $903 per month. Add $312 for each additional household member. - 12
Multiply your net income by 30 percent (.30). - 13
Subtract the figure in Step 12 from the maximum monthly allotment. In 2009, the maximum monthly allotment was $200 for one person, $367 for two, $526 for three, $668 for four, $793 for five, $952 for six $1,052 for seven and $1,202 for eight. Add $150 for every household member over eight people.
The result is your monthly food stamp benefit.
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