Food stamps eligibility in Idaho is determined by your income and other factors, such as your citizenship or non-citizen status, assets, financial resources and employment status. These regulations are administered by the ID food stamps program in the state and maintained at the federal level by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

You must meet all the food stamp qualifications in order to receive these benefits. Thus, it is important for you to understand where you might have difficulty qualifying and whether submitting an application is in your best interest. Determining this beforehand may save you time later on. The guidelines below offer the most current information on Idaho food assistance and eligibility requirements to date.

Citizenship and Residency Requirements for SNAP in Idaho

Contrary to popular belief, many non-citizens have SNAP eligibility in Idaho and in the U.S. However, qualifying non-citizens must have lived in the country legally for a minimum of five years before they can apply. Generally, you may qualify for benefits after a five-year waiting period if:

• You are a lawful permanent resident (LPR) who has worked a certain number of quarters in the U.S.
• You were granted conditional entry and have held that status for five years.
• You are considered a battered spouse, child or parent and are waiting for a decision on your petition.

If you are an eligible refugee, you may qualify for food stamps in Idaho without waiting five years. Other non-citizens who may qualify without going through a waiting period include:

• Children who are 17 years of age or younger.
• Victims of human trafficking.
• People who are seeking asylum.
• LPRs who receive government assistance for a disability.
• LPRs with a military connection, such as veterans and the spouses of veterans.

Keep in mind that you must have a Social Security number (SSN) or have applied for one before you submit a food stamps application. Moreover, each household member who wishes to receive benefits must have an SSN as well. If one of your household members does not have an SSN and does not wish to receive benefits, you may leave him or her out of the application.

A SNAP calculator may help you determine your eligibility for food assistance in Idaho. These types of calculators, which are also known as pre-screening eligibility tools, will prompt you to submit personal information about yourself and your household. Then, this information will be used to determine your chances of receiving food stamps benefits. The USDA offers its own pre-screening tool, though you must make sure you are using the most up-to-date version.

What are the SNAP income guidelines in Idaho?

The Idaho SNAP income guidelines will help you determine whether you qualify for benefits based on your monthly earnings. Generally, your household must meet both the gross income and net income limits set by the USDA and the state.

Your gross income is the combined total incomes of every working member of your household. Your net income is your household income with taxes and allowable deductions subtracted from that amount. In general, you only have to meet the net income limit if you are above a certain age or have a disability.

Moreover, the income limit that applies to you depends on the number of people in your household. For instance, if there are two people in your household including you, your gross monthly income limit is $1,983. Note that these values may change annually.

Depending on your circumstances, the food stamp income guidelines allow for certain deductions. Generally, every household can take a 20 percent deduction from their earned income. In addition, you may take a standard deduction of $193 if there are 1 to 4 people in your household, $225 for a household size of 5 people or $258 for a household size of 6 more. Other allowable deductions include:

• Dependent care deduction, if applicable.
• Medical expenses deduction, if a household member is a senior or has a disability. However, the qualifying household member must spend more than a certain amount on medical expenses in order to qualify for this deduction.
• Excess shelter costs deduction, if applicable.

The Idaho SNAP income guidelines also require you to report assets and forms of unearned income. As such, you must list your vehicles, resources and property on the application, which may or may not be factored into your income.

A vehicle may not be counted as a resource if it is used for your work as a taxi, delivery vehicle or other applicable activity. In addition, the income requirements for food stamps state that countable resources include:

• Cash on hand.
• Checking or savings accounts.
• Stocks.
• Bonds.

Other resources that must be reported but will not be counted include retirement savings, burial funds and more. To learn more about the income requirements for SNAP, download our free guide.

Other Important Food Stamps Qualifications in Idaho

Are you wondering how to qualify for food stamps in ID? In addition to meeting the income requirements, you may also be required to meet certain work requirements. First and foremost, all able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) who live in your household must be employed or seeking employment. They also may not voluntarily reduce their hours, quit their jobs or cause themselves to be fired. You may not count as an ABAWD if you are:

• 17 years of age or younger.
• Above a certain age.
• Pregnant.
• Have a disability.

If you are a student, your food stamps eligibility also depends on whether you meet certain educational requirements. In this case, you must be enrolled full-time or part-time in school, work at least 20 hours per week and be at least 18 years of age (but not older than 49 years of age).

How do you maintain your food stamps in Idaho?

If you want to maintain your ID SNAP eligibility, make sure that you follow the rules and regulations of the program. This means you must report changes to your circumstances or income as soon as possible, and you may only buy approved foods with your benefits. Find out how to maintain your SNAP benefits when you download our free guide.

Last Updated: February 22, 2023