PM 13-02-00
- Compare gross monthly income to the Maximum Gross Monthly Income Standard for the SNAP household size, except when:
- The SNAP household includes a Qualifying Member whose gross monthly income exceeds the Gross Monthly Income Standard (200% FPL). The SNAP household must meet the Net Monthly Income Standard; or
- Every person in the SNAP 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 SNAP 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 SNAP 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 SNAP household has a Qualifying Member, compute the SNAP household's net monthly income. Compare the household's net monthly income to the Net Monthly Income Standard for the SNAP household size (see WAG 13-01-01-b), except:
- Do not compare the net monthly income to the net income standard for Categorically Eligible households.
- 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 household'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 SNAP 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 SNAP 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 SNAP 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 SNAP and is a Categorically Eligible one person household. The Maximum Monthly Gross Income Standard for a household size of one is $2,152. His gross monthly income is $2,169. His court-ordered child support is $400 per month. Mr. T verifies his support payments 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 gross income minus the child support income exclusion of $400 is $1,769, this is the amount compared to the Gross Income Standard. Mr. T is gross income eligible for SNAP. His total adjusted income is $2,169 x .80 = $1,736 (round up). The child support is included since it is only allowed as an exclusion when comparing to the Gross Income Standard and not a deduction, see (PM 13-01-07). See table below for all calculations in this example.
| 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 Countable Gross Income (Compare to Gross Income Standard) |
$1,769 |
|
NET INCOME CALCULATION
EARNED INCOME DEDUCTION:
|
|
| Gross Earned Income $2,169 X .80 (round up) |
$1,736 |
| Gross Adjusted Unearned Income |
$0 |
| Total Adjusted Income |
$1,736 |
| OTHER INCOME DEDUCTIONS: |
|
| Standard Deduction $205 |
|
| Dependent Care Deduction $0 |
|
| QM's Excess Medical Expense $0 |
|
| Total Other Income Deductions |
$205 |
| Adjusted Net Income ($1,736 - $205) |
$1,531 |
| 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 $546 |
|
| Total Shelter Expenses $1,046 = ($500 + $546) |
|
| Less 1/2 of Adjusted Net Income $765 = ($1531 ÷ 2) |
|
| Excess Shelter Expense $281 = ($1,046 - $765) |
|
| Less Applicable Excess Shelter Expense |
$281 |
| Net SNAP Income |
$1250 |
| SNAP Benefit Amount |
$24 |
Example 2: Ms. B is applying for SNAP and is a one person household. The Maximum Monthly Gross Income Standard for a household size of one is Revised Manual Text$2,152. 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 gross income minus the child support income exclusion of $242 is $1,048, this is the amount compared to the Gross Income Standard. Ms. B is gross income eligible for SNAP. Her total adjusted income is $1,290 x .80 = $1032 (round up if there are cents). The child support is included since it is only allowed as an exclusion and not a deduction. See table below for all calculations in this example.
Note: Child support payment calculation ($56.47 + $56.47 + $56.47 + $56.47 = $225.88 ÷ 4 = $56.47 X 4.3) = $242.82 (drop cents).
| 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 Countable Gross Income (Compare to Gross Income Standard) |
$1,048 |
|
NET INCOME CALCULATION
EARNED INCOME DEDUCTION:
|
|
| Gross Earned Income $1032 = $1,290 X 80% (round up) |
$1032 |
| Gross Adjusted Unearned Income |
$0 |
| Total Adjusted Income |
$1032 |
| OTHER INCOME DEDUCTIONS: |
|
| Standard Deduction $205 |
|
| Dependent Care Deduction $0 |
|
| QM's Excess Medical Expense $0 |
|
| Total Other Income Deductions |
|
| Adjusted Net Income ($1032 - $205) |
$827 |
| 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 $546 |
|
| Total Shelter Expenses $996 = ($450 + $546) |
|
| Less 1/2 of Adjusted Net Income $413 = ($827 ÷ 2) |
|
| Excess Shelter Expense $583 = ($996 - $413) |
|
| Less Applicable Excess Shelter Expense |
$583 |
| Net SNAP Income |
$244 |
| SNAP Benefit Amount |
$224 |
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: Mx. S is applying for SNAP for themselves and their 4-year old child. They are not a Qualifying Member. Their monthly gross income is $2,500. The Maximum Gross Income Standard for the household size of 2 is $2,909. Mx. S reports that they use one room of their 6-room house for their business and they keep self-employment records. They report their mortgage payment, which includes taxes and insurance, is $600. Actual utility bills total $120. The worker issues Mx. S a Verification Checklist (Form IL444-0267) requesting self-employment records to verify their income, mortgage payment, and actual utilities bills. Mx. S returns the verification and is allowed one sixth of the mortgage and utilities as a business expense ($100 mortgage plus $20 utilities equals $120 total business expense). $500 is allowed as a housing costs since $600 minus $100 prorated mortgage expense equals $500. Because they are billed for heat, allow the Air Conditioning/Heating Standard. Mx. S's countable gross income to compare to the Maximum Gross Income Standard is $2,380 = ($2,500 - $120). Mx. S is gross income eligible. Their 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= $2,380 x 80% (round up) |
$1,904 |
| Gross Adjusted Unearned Income |
0 |
| Total Adjusted Income |
$1,904 |
| OTHER INCOME DEDUCTIONS: |
|
| Standard Deduction $205 |
|
| Dependent Care Deduction |
|
| QM's Excess Medical Expense |
|
| Total Other Income Deductions |
$205 |
| Adjusted Net Income ($1904-205) |
$1,699 |
| 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 $546 |
|
| Total Shelter Expenses $1,046 = ($500 + $546) |
|
| Less 1/2 of Adjusted Net Income $849 = ($1,699 ÷ 2) |
|
| Excess Shelter Expense $197 = ($1046 -$849) |
|
| Less Applicable Excess Shelter Expense |
$197 |
| Net SNAP Income |
$1,502 |
| SNAP Benefit Amount |
$95 |
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 11/07/2025. He has monthly earned income of $1,500. He states during the interview that he pays 196.80 weekly on Fridays 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. 11/7 $196.80 + 11/14 $196.80 + 11/21 $196.80 + 11/28 $196.80 = $787.20 ÷ 4 = 196.80 X 4.3 = $846.24 (drop cents).
| GROSS INCOME CALCULATION |
DOLLAR AMOUNT |
| Unearned Income |
|
| Plus Noncompliance Amount |
|
| Gross Adjusted Unearned Income |
|
| Gross Earned income |
$1,500 |
| Total Earned Plus Unearned Income |
$1,500 |
| Less Allowable Self-Employment Expenses |
|
| Less Child Support Income Exclusion |
|
| 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 |
|
| Total Adjusted Income |
$1,200 |
| OTHER INCOME DEDUCTIONS: |
|
| Standard Deduction $205 |
|
| Dependent Care Deduction |
|
| QM's Excess Medical Expense |
|
| Total Other Income Deductions |
$205 |
| Adjusted Net Income ($1,200 - $205) |
$995 |
| 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 $67 |
|
| Total Shelter Expenses $913 = ($846 + $ 67) |
|
| Less 1/2 of Adjusted Net Income $497 = ($995 ÷ 2) |
|
| Excess Shelter Expense $416 = ($913 - $497) |
|
| Less Applicable Excess Shelter Expense |
$416 |
| Net SNAP Income |
$579 |
| SNAP Benefit Amount |
$124 |
The following shows 2 additional examples of actual computation of gross and net monthly income. Monthly information used
Example 1: 3-person SNAP Household (No QM, No Sanctioned Individual(s), No IPV)
Example 1: Gross earned income $2,500; TANF $233; dependent care costs $100; rent $1,500;Air Conditioning/Heating Standard $546.
Gross Income Test (165% FPL)
$2,500 Total Earned Income +233 Gross Unearned Income = $2,733. This is amount of $2733 is the total income to compare to 3-person Gross Income Standard of $3,665.
The SNAP household is Categorically Eligible because the total gross income does not exceed the 3-person Gross Income Standard $3,665. Compute net monthly income and use to determine benefit amount only. Do not compare to net monthly income standard.
$744 is used for the shelter expense as that is the Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction for a SNAP household without a Qualifying Member (QM).
| GROSS INCOME CALCULATION |
DOLLAR AMOUNT |
| Unearned Income |
$233 |
| Plus Noncompliance Amount |
|
| Gross Adjusted Unearned Income |
$233 |
| Gross Earned Income |
$2500 |
| Total Earned plus Unearned Income |
$2733 |
| Less Allowable Self-Employment Expenses |
|
| Less Child Support Income Exclusion |
|
| Total Gross Income |
$2733 |
|
NET INCOME CALCULATION
EARNED INCOME DEDUCTION:
|
|
| Gross Earned Income $2500 x .80 (round up) |
$2000 |
| Gross Adjusted Unearned Income |
$233 |
| Total Adjusted Income |
$2233 |
| OTHER INCOME DEDUCTIONS: |
|
| Standard Deduction $205 |
|
| Dependent Care Deduction $100 |
|
| QM's Excess Medical Expense |
|
| Total Other Income Deductions ($205+100) |
$305 |
| Adjusted Net Income ($2233-$305) |
$1928 |
| Homeless Shelter Standard |
|
| SHELTER DEDUCTION: |
|
| Rent/Mortgage Expense |
$1500 |
| Property Insurance/Taxes |
|
| Total Housing Costs (drop cents) |
|
| Actual Homeless Shelter Expense |
|
| Utility Standard $546 |
|
| Total Shelter Expenses $2046 ($1500 + $546) |
|
| Less 1/2 of Adjusted Net Income $964 ($1928 ÷ 2) |
|
| Excess Shelter Expense $1082 ($2046 - $964) |
|
| Less Applicable Excess Shelter Expense |
$744* |
| Net SNAP Income |
$1184 |
| SNAP Benefit Amount |
$429 |
*$744 is used for the shelter expense as that is the Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction for a SNAP household without a Qualifying Member (QM).
Example 2: 3-person SNAP household includes a Qualifying Member
Example 2: Gross earned income $2,500; TANF $233; Standard Medical Deduction $185; dependent care costs $100; rent $1,500; Air Conditioning/Heating Standard $546.
Gross Income Test (200% FPL)
$2,500 Total Earned Income + $233 Gross Unearned Income = $2,733. This is amount of $2733 is the total income to compare to 3-person Gross Income Standard of $4,441.
The SNAP household is Categorically Eligible because the total gross income does not exceed the 3-person Gross Income Standard $4,441. Compute net monthly income and use to determine benefit amount only. Do not compare to net monthly income standard.
| GROSS INCOME CALCULATION |
DOLLAR AMOUNT |
| Unearned Income |
$233 |
| Plus Noncompliance Amount |
|
| Gross Adjusted Unearned Income |
$233 |
| Gross Earned Income |
$2500 |
| Total Earned plus Unearned Income |
$2733 |
| Less Allowable Self-Employment Expenses |
|
| Less Child Support Income Exclusion |
|
| Total Gross Income |
$2733 |
|
NET INCOME CALCULATION
EARNED INCOME DEDUCTION:
|
|
| Gross Earned Income $2500 x .80 (round up) |
$2000 |
| Gross Adjusted Unearned Income |
$233 |
| Total Adjusted Income |
$2233 |
| OTHER INCOME DEDUCTIONS: |
|
| Standard Deduction $205 |
|
| Dependent Care Deduction $100 |
|
| QM's Excess Medical Expense |
|
| Total Other Income Deductions ($205 + $100) |
$305 |
| Adjusted Net Income ($2233 - $305) |
$1928 |
| Homeless Shelter Standard |
|
| SHELTER DEDUCTION: |
|
| Rent/Mortgage Expense |
|
| Property Insurance/Taxes |
|
| Total Housing Costs (drop cents) |
|
| Actual Homeless Shelter Expense |
|
| Utility Standard $546 |
|
| Total Shelter Expenses $2046 ($1500 + $546) |
|
| Less 1/2 of Adjusted Net Income $964 ($1928 ÷ 2) |
|
| Excess Shelter Expense $1082 ($2046 - $964) |
|
| Less Applicable Excess Shelter Expense |
$1082* |
| Net SNAP Income |
$846 |
| SNAP Benefit Amount |
$531 |
*$1,082 is used for the shelter expense due to the the SNAP household including a Qualifying Member and therefore 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 $24.
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 = rounded up to $89.00
- Subtract the whole dollar amount from the maximum monthly benefit amount for the household's size. Use the table below for the maximum monthly benefit amount for the household 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 |
$298 |
| 2 Persons |
$546 |
| 3 Persons |
$785 |
| 4 Persons |
$994 |
| 5 Persons |
$1,183 |
| 6 Persons |
$1,421 |
| 7 Persons |
$1,571 |
| 8 Persons |
$1,789 |
| 9 Persons |
$2,007 |
| 10 Persons |
$2,225 |
| Each Additional Member |
+$218 |
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 the 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.
