Food and Nutrition Service
HomeMobileAbout SNAPNewsroomHelpContact USEn Espanol

 

 

  

Search all USDA
Search Tips
Search Tips
Email Updates


Sign-up to receive free email updates
 
Browse by Audience
  


Disaster Assistance
Employment & Training
Grants
Informational Materials
Nutrition Education
Outreach
Program Data
Program Improvement
Program Policy
Quality Control
Research & Reports
Topics A to Z


You are here: Home > SNAP > Applicants and Recipients
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Resources (Rules on resource limits)

Households may have $2,000 in countable resources, such as a bank account, or $3,250 in countable resources if at least one person is age 60 or older, or is disabled. However, certain resources are NOT counted, such as a home and lot, the resources of people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI),  the resources of people who receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), and most retirement (pension) plans.

The procedures for handling vehicles are determined at the state level. States have the option of substituting the vehicle rules used in their TANF assistance programs for SNAP vehicle rules when it results in a lower attribution of household assets. A number of States exclude the entire value of the household’s primary vehicle as an asset. In States that count the value of vehicles, the fair market value of each licensed vehicle that is not excluded is evaluated. Currently 39 States exclude the value of all vehicles entirely. 11 States totally exclude the value of at least one vehicle per household. The 3 remaining states exempt an amount higher than the SNAP’s standard auto exemption (currently set at $4,650) from the fair market value to determine the countable resource value of a vehicle. For more information concerning State specific vehicle policy, check with the State agency that administers the SNAP program.

Licensed vehicles are NOT counted if they are:

  • used for income-producing purposes,

  • annually producing income consistent with their fair market value,

  • needed for long distance travel for work (other than daily commute),

  • used as the home,

  • needed to transport a physically disabled household member, 

  • needed to carry most of the household's fuel or water, or

  • if the household has little equity in the vehicle (because of money owed on the vehicle, it would bring no more than $1,500 if sold).

For the following licensed vehicles, the fair market value over $4,650 is counted:

  • one per adult household member, and

  • any other vehicle a household member under 18 drives to work, school, job training, or to look for work.

For all other vehicles, the fair market value over $4,650 or the equity value, whichever is more, is counted as a resource.

 

Back to the Top

 

 
See Also