Basics

• Virginia uses two income measures, among other factors, to determine a household's SNAP eligibility. A household is eligible based on income if its gross monthly income and net monthly income are within established limits. The limits, set by the federal government, derive from the federal poverty level. A family's gross income must be no higher than 130 percent of the poverty level, while its net income must be not exceed 100 percent of the poverty level.
  
  

Deductions

• Virginia determines a household's net income by taking its gross income and subtracting a set of deductions. The deductions include a flat deduction that varies by household size, as well as 20 percent of earned income, child care expenses and shelter costs exceeding 50 percent of a household's adjusted net income. The deduction for shelter costs, including rent, mortgage and other expenses, may not exceed a certain amount, which was $458 as of 2011.
  
  

Benefits

• A Virginia family's net income influences not only its eligibility for food stamps, but also its monthly benefit amount. The Food and Nutrition Service, the federal agency that establishes rules and regulations for food stamp programs in all states, comes up with maximum monthly allotments based on household size. States calculate a family's actual benefit amount by subtracting 30 percent of its net income from is its maximum allotment.
  
  

Considerations

• Some Virginia households have "categorical eligibility" for food stamps, meaning they do not need to qualify based on income. The state does not look at income of households receiving welfare benefits through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, for example, since they already have established their income level. Other Virginia aid programs that provide categorical eligibility for food stamps are Maintenance General Relief and Supplemental Security Income. According to the Food and Nutrition Service, households that apply for food stamps need to qualify only on net income, with no consideration given to gross income, if any member is at least 60 years old or disabled.