It can be super frustrating to suddenly lose access to benefits you’ve been relying on, like food stamps (also known as SNAP). If you’ve been receiving SNAP for a year and then get denied, you’re probably wondering what happened. There are several reasons why this could occur. Let’s break down some of the most common ones, so you can understand what might have gone wrong and what you can do about it.
Income Changes
The most common reason for a denial after a year is that your income has increased above the limit to qualify for SNAP. When you first applied, your income met the requirements. SNAP is designed to help families with lower incomes afford food. The rules state how much money you can earn and still be eligible. They check your income to make sure you still qualify.
Here’s a simple example: Let’s say the limit for a single person is $2,000 per month. If your income was $1,800 when you first applied, you qualified. But if your income later increased to $2,100, you would no longer qualify. The income limits vary depending on the size of your household, and states have some flexibility in their rules.
When the SNAP office reviews your case, they look at your recent pay stubs or tax returns to see if your income has changed. This could be due to a new job, a raise at your current job, or even more hours worked. It’s also possible you had other forms of income, like unemployment benefits or child support, that have changed.
Here’s a quick checklist of things that can affect your income for SNAP:
- Your job’s wages or salary
- Unemployment Benefits
- Social Security benefits
- Child support
Changes in Household Size
If the number of people living in your home has changed, this can also affect your SNAP eligibility. If you had a year of benefits, there’s a good chance that your information was reviewed again. Having more or fewer people living with you can change the amount of food stamps you receive or whether you are eligible at all.
If a member of your household moves out, your SNAP benefits could be reduced or even stopped. This is because the income and needs of your household are recalculated. Also, if someone moves in, the SNAP office needs to know, as their income will be considered. The government wants to know how many people you’re feeding because that helps determine how much assistance you need.
When reporting changes to the household size, you will likely need to provide documentation to the SNAP office. This could be a lease agreement, utility bills, or a letter from your landlord.
Here is an example of how changes in household size affect benefit amounts:
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Benefit (Example) |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $281 |
| 2 People | $516 |
| 3 People | $740 |
Asset Limits
SNAP has limits on the amount of assets (things you own) a household can have. Although not as common as income, exceeding these limits can lead to a denial. The assets that are considered typically include things like cash, money in bank accounts, and sometimes the value of other property (besides your home).
When you first applied for SNAP, your assets may have been below the limit. Over time, things can change. You might have received an inheritance, sold an item of value, or simply have more money saved up. The SNAP office will review your bank accounts or other financial information to check that you still meet the asset requirements.
Asset limits vary by state, and sometimes they are stricter for households with elderly or disabled members. Keep in mind that some assets, such as your primary home and often one vehicle, are usually exempt from being counted. If you think you’ve exceeded the asset limit, you may need to spend some money, or you may need to talk to the SNAP office. They might be able to guide you through your options.
Let’s say the asset limit for a household is $2,000. You’re currently at $1,900. Over time, you may have a few things happen:
- You saved up some cash to buy a new computer.
- Your new savings made your balance go over the limit.
- This change will need to be reported, or your SNAP eligibility could be affected.
Failure to Complete Required Reviews or Provide Information
SNAP benefits are not automatically renewed. To keep receiving them, you usually need to reapply or go through a recertification process. The SNAP office will send you a notice telling you when it’s time to do this. You’ll need to fill out forms and provide updated information about your income, household, and assets.
If you miss the deadline to reapply or if you don’t respond to requests for information, your benefits can be denied. It’s important to keep your contact information up to date with the SNAP office so you don’t miss any important notices. These notices might ask for updated information like pay stubs or bank statements.
Sometimes, the SNAP office might ask you for extra information to confirm your eligibility, such as proof of residency or information about your employment. You may need to provide the following:
- Proof of identification.
- Proof of residency.
- Income verification documents.
- Information about your household.
If you don’t provide all of the required documents by the set deadlines, your benefits may be terminated.
Failing to complete the renewal process can happen because you didn’t receive the paperwork, you forgot about the deadline, or you simply didn’t understand the instructions. If you’re not sure about something, it’s always best to call the SNAP office and ask for clarification.
Conclusion
Losing SNAP benefits after a year can be a stressful situation. As you can see, many factors can influence SNAP eligibility. The denial might have been a result of changes in your income, your household size, your assets, or even your failure to respond to requests for information. If you were denied, the SNAP office should send you a notice explaining the reason. Carefully review the notice and gather any documents needed to appeal the decision. It is important to take action quickly, as there is a deadline for submitting an appeal. If you believe the denial was a mistake, you can often appeal the decision. Contacting the SNAP office to understand the specific reasons for your denial is the first step in resolving the situation.