When you and your family rely on supplemental income programs, it is important that you understand your rights and eligibility for various benefits. If you receive child support payments you may wonder if they count as income for SNAP and other programs. Contact a Union County child support attorney at Ross & Calandrillo, LLC to discuss your concerns and learn more about your rights and responsibilities.
What is SNAP?
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is a federally funded program designed to provide food benefits to low-income families. Formerly referred to as food stamps, SNAP allows families with limited resources to supplement their grocery budget in an effort to ensure all children and families can afford nutritious and healthy foods. SNAP benefits are controlled by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and can be used at stores to purchase food and ingredients.
Who is Eligible for SNAP?
Families and households that are eligible for the program must meet certain criteria. While there are other requirements, one of the most important is that NJ households must meet the maximum allowable income, as outlined below. If a household has a gross monthly income higher than the maximum they will not be eligible.
- Household size of 1: $2,248
- 2: $3,041
- 3: $3,833
- 4: $4,625
- 5: $5,418
- 6: $6,210
- 7: $7,003
- 8: $7,795
- Each additional member: +$793
Is Child Support Considered Income for SNAP?
Yes, child support payments can be considered income for SNAP purposes. However, this is not always the case. According to N.J. Administrative Code § 10:87-5.7, child support under Title IV-D is excluded from the SNAP eligibility calculation, given that the payments will be assigned to the CWA. however, child support payments that are not assigned to the CWA will be considered unearned income and counted for NJ SNAP purposes.
For tax and other purposes, child support payments are generally not considered income because the money is not meant to be used by anyone other than the child. However, under certain circumstances, SNAP may consider portions of the payments as additional income. Understanding whether or not child support is included in SNAP is crucial because those payments may be the difference between being eligible to receive supplemental benefits and being ineligible and receiving nothing. While additional income is generally always welcomed, in this case, it can be detrimental to the receiving household.
Historically, the SNAP/Food Stamps programs have been significantly beneficial for low-income families, allowing them to obtain nutritious food and fuel their bodies. Being eligible for these supplemental programs can be crucial for individuals and households. Reach out to a skilled lawyer to learn more.
