In March, the additions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) freed up by the pandemic ended. Although this benefit is funded by the federal government, it is administered locally or depending on the state in which you live. Hence what characterizes food has different forms and quantities according to the state in which you live. That’s why we’ll tell you how much you can get from SNAP in Florida.
Although the eligibility criteria are clear, they can vary, especially due to the cost of living in each state. To qualify and prove how much you can receive from SNAP, they apply monthly income and expenses. So you need to know your gross income and your net income, that is, what you have left after taxes, less deductions allowed by the state of Florida.
Because it is a program that seeks to prevent non-alimony, the percentage you receive also depends on how many people live in your household.
In this sense, in Florida, the maximum benefit for one person is $281 per month in 2023. For its part, a family of four in the Sunshine State would receive the maximum benefit of $939 per month. But remember to gradually reduce these benefits in order to increase your qualified income.
As we mentioned, it is important to remember that in order to qualify, your gross income must be calculated, before expenses and taxes. If you are a fixed-wage employee, the gross monthly income amount is shown on your pay stubs before tax deductions are made. If you receive other income, such as Social Security or Social Security Disability Insurance received from your family members, they are also added.
If you are filing your income tax return for 2023, you can divide your annual gross income by 12 to determine your monthly gross income. Don’t forget to add other income received.
To qualify for food stamps in Florida, your gross monthly income must be less than or equal to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). This number varies depending on the size of your home. For a single person, 200% of FPL equals $2,266. For a family of four, that number is $4,626 for 2023. That number may increase based on inflation in October 2023, but for now, here’s the FPL.
Your monthly net income will then determine how much you will receive in Snap benefits. Net monthly income less deductions. In Florida, you have many opportunities to deduct taxes, such as:
- 20% of your income from work.
- The standard deduction is $193 dollars if you have 1 to 4 people in your family; $225 dollars if you have 5 people and $258 dollars if you have 6 people.
- The cost of dependent care, including child care.
- Deduction for medical expenses over $35 per month for elderly or disabled family members.
- Housing costs, including rent or mortgage payments. Also taxes and insurance, gas and electricity, water, telephone costs. The price is $624 dollars.
Once you’ve calculated your net income, you can determine if you still qualify for Snap and how much you can get back. For a one-person family, the maximum net income is $1,133, or 100% of the poverty level. For a family of four, the maximum net income in Florida is $2,313.
If your income and family structure are different, you can check the website of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), with specific information for Florida.
