PM 13-02-00
- Compare gross monthly income to the Maximum Gross Monthly Income Standard for the
Food Assistance household size, except when:
- The Food Assistance household includes a qualifying member whose gross monthly income exceeds the Gross Monthly Income Standard (200% FPL). The Food Assistance household must meet the Net Monthly Income Standard; or
- Every person in the Food Assistance household is authorized to receive TANF or SSI, including SSI cases in recoupment or suspension status. See PM 13-01-01-a.
- Determine gross monthly income in IES. If the IES calculation is questionable, manually calculate benefits using the SNAP Calculation Sheet (IL444-0683B) and compare the results to the IES calculation for accuracy.
- For Food Assistance households with self-employment income, and/or with a member paying court ordered child support, exclude (subtract) the allowable self-employment expenses and court ordered child support payments from the Food Assistance household's gross monthly income before comparing to the Maximum Gross Monthly Income Standard for the household size.
- Note: The same procedure applies for expedited service and the benefit calculation (see WAG 02-08-01).
- If eligible, use the household's countable income (minus the excluded amount) in the net benefit calculation. If total gross monthly income minus allowable self-employment expenses and/or court-ordered child support is equal to, or less than, the Maximum Gross Monthly Income Standard, or the Food Assistance household has a qualifying member, compute the Food Assistance household's net monthly income. Compare the Food Assistance household's net monthly income to the Net Monthly Income Standard for the Food Assistance household size (see WAG 13-01-01-b), except:
- Do not compare the net monthly income to the net income standard for categorically eligible units.
- Use the net monthly income amount to determine the monthly benefit amount.
- The net income must be at level where benefits are issued. If the unit's net income is too high to receive a benefit amount the case is ineligible.
Note: IES automatically compares income to the Maximum Gross Monthly Income Standard.
See the Steps 1 and 2 in the Computing Gross and Net Monthly Income section below for treatment of expenses.
Computing Gross and Net Monthly Income
- Compute the earned income deduction by multiplying total gross earned income by .80 and rounding up to the nearest whole dollar.
- To compute monthly income, drop cents from all figures before and after each calculation, except for the following:
- When determining actual medical expenses for Food Assistance households whose expenses exceed the appropriate Standard Medical Deduction, shelter, child support payments, dependent care and shelter costs, add the individual expenses or payments together including cents. Drop cents from the total and enter as a monthly amount.
Note: IES does not perform the calculation to drop cents from the total prior to deducting or excluding the expense from income correctly. A JIRA ticket has been created to fix this issue. Until system changes are complete, workers should continue to convert expenses to a monthly amount and enter in IES.
Income Excluded from Gross Income
The following examples show court ordered child support and businesses expenses that are deducted from the Food Assistance household's gross monthly income before comparing to the Maximum Monthly Gross Income Standard for the household size.
Child Support Income Exclusion
All court ordered child support payments should be treated as an income exclusion from the Food Assistance household's total gross monthly income when comparing to the Maximum Monthly Gross Income Standard for the household size. It is not allowed as an income deduction in the net benefit calculation. See WAG 13-01-07. The same procedure applies when determining expedited service.
Example 1: Mr. T is applying for Food Assistance and is a one person household. He is not a qualifying member. The Maximum Monthly Gross Income Standard for a household size of one is $2,071. Mr. T's gross monthly income is $2,169. His court-ordered child support is $400 per month. Mr. T verifies his support payment by showing his veteran's income statement received in the last 30 days. His rent is $500 and he pays for air conditioning and heat. Mr. T's countable income minus the child support income exclusion ($400) is $1,769. Mr. T is gross income eligible for SNAP. His countable income when completing the net income benefit calculation is $1,769 x .80 = $1,416 (round up).
| GROSS INCOME CALCULATION: |
DOLLAR AMOUNT |
| Unearned Income |
$0 |
| Plus Noncompliance Amount |
$0 |
| Gross Adjusted Unearned Income |
$0 |
| Gross Earned Income |
$2,169 |
| Total Earned Plus Unearned Income |
$2,169 |
| Less Allowable Self-Employment Expenses |
$0 |
| Less Child Support Income Exclusion |
$400 |
| Total Gross Income |
$1,769 |
|
NET INCOME CALCULATION
EARNED INCOME DEDUCTION:
|
|
| Gross Earned Income $1,769 X .80 (round up) |
$1,416 |
| Gross Adjusted Unearned Income |
$0 |
| Total Adjusted Income |
$1,416 |
| OTHER INCOME DEDUCTIONS: |
|
| Standard Deduction $200 |
|
| Dependent Care Deduction $0 |
|
| QM's Excess Medical Expense $0 |
|
| Total Other Income Deductions |
$200 |
| Adjusted Net Income ($1,416 - $200) |
$1,216 |
| HOMELESS SHELTER STANDARD |
|
| SHELTER DEDUCTION: |
|
| Rent or Mortgage Expense $500 |
|
| Property Insurance/Taxes $0 |
|
| Total Housing Cost (drop cents) $500 |
|
| Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses |
|
| Utility Standard $532 |
|
| Total Shelter Expenses $1,032 = ($500 + $532) |
|
| Less 1/2 of Adjusted Net Income $608 = ($1216 ÷ 2) |
|
| Excess Shelter Expense $424 = ( $1,032 - $608) |
|
| Less Applicable Excess Shelter Expense |
$424 |
| Net SNAP Income |
$792 |
| SNAP Benefit Amount |
$54 |
Example 2: Ms. B is applying for Food Assistance and is a one person household. She is not a qualifying member. The Maximum Monthly Gross Income Standard for a household size of one is $2,071. Ms. B's gross monthly income is $1,290. Her rent is $450 and she pays for air conditioning and heat. Her court-ordered child support is $56.47 weekly. Ms. B verifies her support payments by using her pay stubs received in the last 30 days. Ms. B's countable income minus the child support income exclusion ($242) is $1,048 and is determined by adding the individual amounts together including cents, then dividing by 4 and multiplying the result by 4.3 (drop cents). ($56.47 + $56.47 + $56.47 + $56.47 = $225.88 ÷ 4 = $56.47 X 4.3) = $242.82 (drop cents). Ms. B's countable income when completing the net income benefit calculation is $1,048 x .80 = $839 (round up).
| GROSS INCOME CALCULATION |
DOLLAR AMOUNT |
| Unearned Income |
$0 |
| Plus Noncompliance Amount |
$0 |
| Gross Adjusted Unearned Income |
$0 |
| Gross Earned income |
$1,290 |
| Total Earned Plus Unearned Income |
$1,290 |
| Less Allowable Self-Employment Expenses |
$0 |
| Less Child Support Income Exclusion |
$242 |
| Total Gross Income |
$1,048 |
|
NET INCOME CALCULATION
EARNED INCOME DEDUCTION:
|
|
| Gross Earned Income $1,048 = ($1,290 X 80% (round up) |
$839 |
| Gross Adjusted Unearned Income |
$0 |
| Total Adjusted Income |
$839 |
| OTHER INCOME DEDUCTIONS: |
|
| Standard Deduction $200 |
|
| Dependent Care Deduction $0 |
|
| QM's Excess Medical Expense $0 |
|
| Total Other Income Deductions |
$200 |
| Adjusted Net Income ($839 - $200) |
$639 |
| HOMELESS SHELTER STANDARD |
|
| SHELTER DEDUCTION: |
|
| Rent or Mortgage Expense $450 |
|
| Property Insurance/Taxes $0 |
|
| Total Housing Cost (drop cents) $450 |
|
| Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses |
|
| Utility Standard $532 |
|
| Total Shelter Expenses $982 = ($450 + $ 532) |
|
| Less 1/2 of Adjusted Net Income $320 = ($639 ÷ 2) |
|
| Excess Shelter Expense $662 = ($982 - $320) |
|
| Less Applicable Excess Shelter Expense |
$662 |
| Net SNAP Income |
$0 |
| SNAP Benefit Amount |
$292 |
Self Employment Business Expenses
Self-employment income minus the allowable costs of doing business is used in the gross income calculation. See PM 08-04-01-b. The same procedure applies when determining expedited service.
Example: Ms. S is applying for SNAP for herself and her 4-year old child. She is not a qualifying member. Her monthly gross income is $2,500. The Maximum Gross Income Standard for the household size of 2 is $2,811. Ms. S reports that she uses one room of her 6-room house for her business. She keeps self-employment records. She reports her mortgage payment, which includes taxes and insurance, is $600. Actual utility bills total $120. The worker issues Ms. S verification Checklist (Form IL444-0267) requesting her self-employment records to verify her income, mortgage payment, and actual utilities bills. Ms. S returns the verification and is allowed one sixth of her mortgage and utilities as a business expense ($100 mortgage plus $20 utilities equals $120 total business expense). $500 is allowed as a housing costs ($600 minus $100 prorated mortgage expense equals $500). Because she is billed for heat, allow the Air Conditioning/Heating Standard. Ms. S' countable gross income to compare to the Maximum Gross Income Standard is $2,380 = ($2,500 - $120). Ms. S is gross income eligible. Her countable income when completing the earned income deduction is $2,380 x .80.
| GROSS INCOME CALCULTION |
DOLLAR AMOUNT |
| Unearned Income |
$0 |
| Plus Noncompliance Amount |
$0 |
| Gross Adjusted Unearned Income |
$0 |
| Gross Earned income |
$2,500 |
| Total Earned Plus Unearned Income |
$2,500 |
| Less Allowable Self-Employment Expenses |
$120 |
| Less Child Support Income Exclusion |
$0 |
| Total Gross Income |
$2,380 |
|
NET INCOME CALCULATION
EARNED INCOME DEDUCTION:
|
|
| Gross Earned Income $ 1,900= ($2,350 x 80% (round up) |
$1,900 |
| Gross Adjusted Unearned Income |
0 |
| Total Adjusted Income |
$1,900 |
| OTHER INCOME DEDUCTIONS: |
|
| Standard Deduction $200 |
|
| Dependent Care Deduction $0 |
|
| QM's Excess Medical Expense $0 |
|
| Total Other Income Deductions |
$200 |
| Adjusted Net Income |
$1,700 |
| HOMELESS SHELTER STANDARD |
|
| SHELTER DEDUCTION: |
|
| Rent or Mortgage Expense $500 |
|
| Property Insurance/Taxes $0 |
|
| Total Housing Cost (drop cents) $0 |
|
| Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses |
|
| Utility Standard $532 |
|
| Total Shelter Expenses $1,032 = ($500 + $532) |
|
| Less 1/2 of Adjusted Net Income $850 = ($1,700 ÷ 2) |
|
| Excess Shelter Expense $182 = ($1032 -$850) |
|
| Less Applicable Excess Shelter Expense |
$182 |
| Net SNAP Income |
$1,518 |
| SNAP Benefit Amount |
$80 |
Expenses Deducted in the Net Income Calculation
Actual medical costs, dependent care, and shelter costs are allowed as an income deduction in the net benefit calculation. The following is a budget of shelter expenses that include cents allowed as a deduction in the net income calculation
Example: Mr. X files a SNAP application on February 1, 2024. He has monthly earned income of $1,500. He states during the interview that he pays 196.80 weekly on Friday for a room that includes utilities. He also pays for a cell phone. Mr. X's shelter total shelter expense is calculated by adding the weekly amount together including cents. 02/02 $196.80 + 02/09 $196.80 + 02/16 $196.80 + 02/23 $196.80 = $787.20 ÷ 4 = 196.80 X 4.3 = $846.24 (drop cents).
| GROSS INCOME CALCULATION |
DOLLAR AMOUNT |
| Unearned Income |
$0 |
| Plus Noncompliance Amount |
$0 |
| Gross Adjusted Unearned Income |
$0 |
| Gross Earned income |
$1,500 |
| Total Earned Plus Unearned Income |
$1,500 |
| Less Allowable Self-Employment Expenses |
$0 |
| Less Child Support Income Exclusion |
$0 |
| Total Gross Income |
$1,500 |
| NET INCOME CALCULATION: |
|
| Gross Earned Income $ 1,200= ($1,500 X .80 (round up) |
$1,200 |
| Gross Adjusted Unearned Income |
$0 |
| Total Adjusted Income |
$1,200 |
| OTHER INCOME DEDUCTIONS: |
|
| Standard Deduction $200 |
|
| Dependent Care Deduction |
|
| QM's Excess Medical Expense |
|
| Total Other Income Deductions $200 |
$200 |
| Adjusted Net Income ($1,200 - $200) |
$1,000 |
| HOMELESS SHELTER STANDARD |
|
| SHELTER DEDUCTION: |
|
| Rent or Mortgage Expense $846 |
|
| Property Insurance/Taxes $0 |
|
| Total Housing Cost (drop cents) $846 |
|
| Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses |
|
| Utility Standard $65 |
|
| Total Shelter Expenses $911 = ($846 + $ 65) |
|
| Less 1/2 of Adjusted Net Income $500 = ($1,000÷ 2) |
|
| Excess Shelter Expense $411 = ($911 - $500) |
|
| Less Applicable Excess Shelter Expense |
$411 |
| Net SNAP Income |
$589 |
| SNAP Benefit Amount |
$115 |
The following shows 3 additional examples of actual computation of gross and net monthly income.
Monthly information used:
Example 1: gross earned income $2,500; TANF $233; dependent care costs $100; rent $1,500; Air Conditioning/Heating Standard $532.
Example 2: gross earned income $2,500; TANF $233; Standard Medical Deduction $185; dependent care costs $100; rent $1,500; Air Conditioning/Heating Standard $532.
Example 3: gross earned income $3,280; unearned income $870; actual medical expenses $600; dependent care deduction $400; rent $1,400; Air Conditioning/Heating Standard $532.
Example 1: 3-person SNAP household, (no sanctioned or IPV or qualifying member)
Gross Income Test (165% FPL)
$2,500 Total Earned Income
+ 233 Gross Unearned Income
$ 2,733 Total income to compare to 3-person gross monthly income standard of $3,551.
The SNAP household is categorically eligible because the total gross income does not exceed the 3-person gross income standard $3,551. Compute Net Monthly Income and use to determine benefit amount only. Do not compare to net monthly income standard.
$2,500 Total Earned Income
x .80 EI Deduction, multiply by .80 (round up)
$2,000 Total Net Earned Income
+ 233 Net Unearned Income
$2,233 Subtotal
- 200 Standard Deduction
$2,033 Total Adjusted Income
- 100 Dependent Care Costs
$1,933 Adjusted Net Income
- 712 Excess Shelter Deduction
$1,221 Net Monthly SNAP Income
Excess Shelter Deduction
$1,500 Rent
+ 532 Air Conditioning/Heating Standard
$ 2,032 Shelter Costs
- 967 = ($1933 Adjusted Net Income divided by 2)
$1,065 Excess Shelter Deduction
$712 is used, as that is the Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction for a unit without a qualifying member.
Example 2: 3 person SNAP household includes a qualifying member
Gross Income Test (200% FPL)
$ 2,500 Total Earned Income
+233 Gross Unearned Income
$ 2,733 Total income to compare to 3-person gross monthly income standard 4,303.
Gross income within Gross Monthly Income Standard. The SNAP household is categorically eligible. Compute Net Monthly Income and use to determine monthly benefit amount only. Do not compare to the Net Monthly Income Standard.
$2,500 Total Earned Income
x .80 EI Deduction, multiply by .80 (round up)
$2,000 Total Net Earned Income
+233 Net Unearned Income
$2,233 Subtotal
-200 Standard Deduction
$2,033 Total Adjusted Income
-150* Excess Medical Expenses
$1,883 Subtotal
-100 Dependent Care Costs
$1,783 Adjusted Net Income
-1,140 **Excess Shelter Deduction
$ 643 Net Monthly SNAP Income
*Standard Medical Deduction
$185 Medical Expense Standard for a Qualifying Member
-35 Medical Deduction
$150 Excess Medical Expenses
**Excess Shelter Deduction
$1,500 Rent
+532 Air Conditioning/Heating Standard
$2,032 Subtotal
-892 ($1783 Adjusted Net Income divided by 2)
1,140 Excess Shelter Deduction
$1,140 is used, since the SNAP household includes a qualifying member and the excess shelter deduction does not have a maximum limit.
Example 3: 3 person unit includes qualifying member
Gross Income Test (200% FPL)
$3,80 Total Earned Income
+870 Gross Unearned Income
$4,550 Total income to compare to 3-person gross monthly income standard of $4,303.
Gross income exceeds Gross Monthly Income Standard (200% FPL). Unit is not categorically eligible. The SNAP household's net monthly income must be within the Net Monthly Income Standard for the SNAP household size to qualify for benefits.
Compute Net Monthly Income
$3,680 Total Earned Income
x .80 EI Deduction, multiply by .80 (round up)
=$2,944 Total Net Earned Income
+$870 Net Unearned Income
=$3,814 Subtotal
$200 Standard Deduction
=$3,614 Total Adjusted Income
- $565 Excess Medical Expenses
=$3049.
- 400 Dependent Care Costs
$2,649 Adjusted Net Income
- - 807 Excess Shelter Deduction
- $1,842 Net Monthly SNAP Income compared to Net Income Standard for 3-persons of $2,152.
Excess Medical Expenses
$600 Actual Medical Expenses
-35 Medical Deduction
$565 Excess Medical Expenses
Excess Shelter Deduction
$1,600 Rent
+$532 Air Conditioning/Heating Standard
$2,132 Subtotal
-$1,325 ($2649 Adjusted Net Income divided by 2 rounded up)
$807 Excess Shelter Deduction
$807 is used, since the SNAP household includes a qualifying member, and the excess shelter deduction does not have a maximum limit.
Computing Monthly Benefit Amount
Assign a monthly benefit based on the SNAP household's net monthly income. See WAG 25-03-09 for the Basis of Issuance Table. The minimum full monthly benefit amount for a 1 or 2-person SNAP household is $23.
To determine the monthly benefit for a SNAP household of more than 10 persons, take the following steps:
- Multiply the SNAP household's net monthly income by 30%. Round up to the next dollar if the answer ends in 1 through 99 cents.
Example:
$294.00 Net Monthly Income
x .30
$88.20 = $89.00
- Subtract the whole dollar amount from the maximum monthly benefit amount for the unit's size. Use the table below for the maximum monthly benefit amount for the unit size.
This amount is the SNAP household's monthly benefit amount.
The maximum monthly benefit amounts by SNAP Household size are:
| SNAP Household Size |
Maximum Monthly Amount |
| 1 Person |
$292 |
| 2 Persons |
536 |
| 3 Persons |
768 |
| 4 Persons |
975 |
| 5 Persons |
1,158 |
| 6 Persons |
1,390 |
| 7 Persons |
1,536 |
| 8 Persons |
1,756 |
| 9 Persons |
1,976 |
| 10 Persons |
2,196 |
| Each Additional Member |
+220 |
Income Receipt Date
The income receipt date is the date that is used when determining the amount of income received during the month. The income receipt date varies depending on the type of income.
- For earned income, the receipt date is the day the employer makes the check available to the employee, regardless of the date the employee actually takes possession of the check. If the employer normally mails checks, use the date the employee states the check was received, allowing a reasonable interval.
- For Unemployment Insurance (UI) income, the debit card receipt date is 2 days following the mail date in AWVS.
- For stable earned or unearned income regularly received once a month, budget the single payment each month, even if, due to variations in the date of receipt, no payments or 2 payments are received in a particular fiscal month. For stable earned or unearned income regularly received twice a month, budget 2 payments each month, even if, due to variations in the date of receipt, one payment or 3 payments are received in a particular fiscal month.
