Figuring out how to budget and manage your money can be tricky, and sometimes you need a little help. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP (often called “Food Stamps”), is a program designed to help people with low incomes buy food. A big part of getting approved for SNAP is showing what bills you pay each month. It’s not as simple as just saying, “I have bills!” There are specific things that count and things that don’t. This essay will help you understand what bills the SNAP program considers when deciding if you’re eligible and how much food assistance you can get.
Rent or Mortgage Payments
One of the biggest expenses most people have is housing. For the most part, your rent or mortgage payment is a bill that counts for food stamps. This is a pretty straightforward one. SNAP considers your monthly housing costs when determining your eligibility and benefit amount. Keep in mind, this includes things like property taxes if they are included in your mortgage payment.
If you rent, make sure you have a written lease agreement. You will need to provide proof of your rent payments. Usually, you can do this by providing:
- A copy of your lease agreement.
- Receipts from your landlord showing you have paid.
- Cancelled checks or bank statements.
If you own your home, you’ll need to provide similar documentation to verify your mortgage payments. Be sure you know exactly how much your monthly housing costs are!
It’s also worth noting that SNAP may consider some additional costs, such as homeowners or renters insurance, in certain situations. Check with your local SNAP office for more information about how those costs are handled.
Utilities
Another significant monthly expense is keeping the lights on and having heat and water! Your utility bills are very important when figuring out your food stamp eligibility. Generally, these expenses count towards the calculation. This includes things like electricity, gas, water, and even sometimes the cost of your trash collection.
Here is a table of what is commonly included in utilities that are counted:
| Utility Type | Generally Counts? |
|---|---|
| Electricity | Yes |
| Gas | Yes |
| Water & Sewage | Yes |
| Trash Collection | Sometimes |
| Phone (landline or cell) | Sometimes |
To get your utility bills counted, you’ll need to prove that you’re responsible for them. This usually involves providing copies of your utility bills. Remember to provide current copies, as SNAP needs to see your ongoing expenses.
Some states have a “standard utility allowance” (SUA). This is a fixed amount the SNAP program uses to cover utilities if you don’t pay them separately. This makes the paperwork easier but might not reflect your actual costs.
Medical Expenses
Medical bills can be a huge burden, especially when you are trying to make ends meet. In some instances, the SNAP program will consider some medical expenses. This could potentially increase the amount of food assistance you are eligible for. But there are some important rules to know.
Here’s an ordered list to understand this better:
- First, you have to be disabled or age 60 or older to have medical expenses counted.
- You need to itemize them! This means you have to provide documentation like doctor bills, medication receipts, and insurance premiums.
- SNAP only counts the medical expenses that are *not* paid for by insurance or other sources.
- There is a minimum threshold, so you only count medical expenses over a certain amount.
This is not as common, so check with your local SNAP office to see how they address medical expenses in your area and if they are eligible.
For example, let’s say you have $300 in medical expenses, but your insurance covered $100 of it. Only the remaining $200 can be counted towards SNAP.
Childcare Costs
If you have children and need to pay for childcare so you can work or attend school, you might be able to include these costs. Childcare costs are a significant expense for many families, and SNAP recognizes this.
To get these costs considered, you will typically need proof of the payments. This could include:
- Invoices from your childcare provider.
- Cancelled checks.
- Receipts.
It’s important that the childcare provider is a legitimate, licensed operation. The SNAP program needs to make sure it is a real expense. Not all childcare costs will be counted.
Keep records of payments to make sure you’re covered.
Credit Card Debt & Personal Loans
Unfortunately, things like credit card debt and personal loans typically do NOT count as eligible expenses for SNAP. SNAP focuses on essential living costs like housing, utilities, and food. However, credit card debt is debt; not a necessary cost.
Here is a simple list:
- Credit Card Payments: NO
- Personal Loan Payments: NO
- Student Loan Payments: NO
- Car Loan Payments: NO
These debts are still important to manage, but they don’t directly impact your eligibility for SNAP. Be sure you work on those to improve your life and financial position!
It is a critical component to understand. Because these are excluded, they do not lower your income for the purposes of the SNAP program.
Phone Bills & Internet
The situation with phone bills and internet is a little tricky. As of now, they do not typically count. There may be some exceptions to the rule, though.
Check with your local SNAP office to be sure. However, the general rule of thumb here is that they are not included. Because of this, they do not lower your income for the purposes of the SNAP program.
Here is a breakdown:
- Cell phone bill: Generally no, but check with your local office.
- Landline phone bill: May count as a utility in some locations.
- Internet: Not typically counted.
It is important to know the rules of your area. Check your eligibility.
Conclusion
Understanding what bills are counted for food stamps is a critical step in figuring out your eligibility and benefits. Remember, your rent or mortgage, utilities, childcare, and sometimes medical expenses are considered. Things like credit card debt, personal loans, and, generally, phone and internet bills are typically not. Always keep records of your bills and receipts. If you have questions, it is always best to contact your local SNAP office for the most accurate and up-to-date information for your specific situation. This will help you navigate the process and get the food assistance you need!