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Yes, VA disability compensation is considered income for SNAP eligibility.
This is because federal law requires all income to be counted toward SNAP income limits unless explicitly excluded.
VA disability compensation is not explicitly excluded and, therefore, counts toward SNAP income limits.
Other VA disability benefits that count as income include:
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
- Housebound allowance
- Aid and Attendance
- Veterans Pension
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
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SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS
- VA disability compensation is counted as income for SNAP eligibility purposes.
- Both disabled and non-disabled veterans can be eligible for SNAP benefits, and they may also qualify for certain exemptions because of their veteran status.
- SNAP eligibility depends on your gross and net income, as well as asset limits.
- SNAP income limits depend on the size of your household.
- Calculating your monthly SNAP allotment is an easy, 4-step process.
Table of Contents
Food Stamps and VA Disability
Can Disabled Veterans Get Food Stamps?
Yes, as a disabled veteran, you can be eligible for both SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps) and VA disability. Qualifying for SNAP requires that you meet the income and asset limits.
In addition, being a veteran (disabled or not) can make you exempt from two SNAP requirements.
See below👇
Able-bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) Time Limit Exemptions
Most able-bodied adults who don’t have any dependents can only receive SNAP benefits for a total of three months in a 3-year period.
But if you served in the US Armed Forces (including in a reserve component), you’re exempt from this time limit, regardless of the condition of your discharge.
Work Exemptions
In general, you must meet the work requirements set forth by the state you live in to be eligible for SNAP benefits.
Some states, such as Texas, exempt all veterans from their SNAP work requirements.
Also, if your household consists entirely of elderly or disabled members, you aren’t subject to work requirements. When it comes to veterans, only totally disabled (VA rating of 100% or have TDIU status), permanently housebound, or those receiving regular aid and attendance qualify as disabled.
100 Percent Disabled Veteran Food Stamps
Can a 100% disabled veteran get SNAP Benefits? If your household income is at or below the income limits, and you meet the asset limits, having a 100% VA disability rating doesn’t disqualify you from SNAP benefits.
What are the SNAP Income Limits?
SNAP eligibility is based on your gross monthly income and net monthly income, as well as your “countable assets” (this includes things like cash in a bank account).
Gross income is how much you earn in a month, and net income is your gross income minus any deductions you may qualify for.
Find your household size in the chart below. Follow to the right for each income limit:
| Household Size | Gross monthly income (130% of poverty level) | Net monthly income (100% of poverty level) |
| 1 | $1,580 | $1,215 |
| 2 | $2,137 | $1,644 |
| 3 | $2,694 | $2,072 |
| 4 | $3,250 | $2,500 |
| 5 | $3,807 | $2,929 |
| 6 | $4,364 | $3,357 |
| 7 | $4,921 | $3,785 |
| 8 | $5,478 | $4,214 |
| Each additional member | +$557 | +$429 |
Almost everyone is required to meet both the gross and net income limits to be eligible.
But if you’re totally disabled (VA rating of 100% or have TDIU status), permanently housebound, or need regular aid and attendance, you only need to meet the net income limit.
SNAP Asset Limits
To qualify for SNAP, your household must have $2,750 or less in countable resources (such as cash or money in a bank account).
Or, if at least one member of your household is 60 or older or disabled, the limit is $4,250 in countable resources.
“Household” Defined
For SNAP benefits purposes, “household” is defined as the number of people who live together and purchase and prepare meals together.
Allowable SNAP Income Deductions
You can subtract the following deductions from your gross income:
- 20% of your earned income. For example, if you earn $1,000 a month as a waiter, you can subtract $200 from your monthly gross income.
- The standard deduction of $198 for household sizes of 1 to 3 people (higher for some larger households and different for households in Alaska, Hawaii, Virgin Islands, and Guam)
- A dependent care deduction when needed for work, training, or education
- Medical expenses for elderly or disabled members that are more than $35 for the month if they are not paid by insurance or someone else
- In some states, legally owed child support payments
- A $179.66 deduction for homeless households
SNAP for Disabled Veterans Example
Determining your monthly SNAP allotment is a simple 4-step process:
- First, calculate your household’s gross income (assume you meet the asset limits). Let’s say you and your spouse have one child, you receive $898.73 a month in VA compensation for a 40% rating, and you earn $1,500 a month at your part-time job. Your gross income is $2,398.73.
- Second, conduct the net income test by subtracting any deductions you qualify for from your gross income. For this example, you can subtract $198 for the standard deduction, and you can deduct 20% of your earned income. Your monthly net income is $1,900.73, which means you qualify for SNAP benefits.
- Third, you need to multiply your net income by 0.3. This is because SNAP households are expected to spend about 30% of their resources on food. $1900.73 x 0.3 = $570 (always round this number up).
- Fourth, subtract that number from your family’s Maximum Monthly Allotment (see table below). $766 – $570 = $196. This is your monthly SNAP allotment!
| People in Household | Maximum Monthly Allotment |
| 1 | $291 |
| 2 | $535 |
| 3 | $766 |
| 4 | $973 |
| 5 | $1,155 |
| 6 | $1,386 |
| 7 | $1,532 |
| 8 | $1,751 |
| Each additional person | +$219 |
How Many Veterans Are on Food Stamps?
It’s estimated that, as of 2019, more than 22,000 active duty servicemembers are receiving SNAP benefits, along with over 213,000 households with a Reserve/National Guard member.
Veterans Receiving SNAP Benefits by State
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Content Reviewed by: Quality Assurance (QA) Team
The Quality Assurance (QA) team has over 36 years of combined experience in meticulously researching accuracy and fact-finding information. The Quality Assurance team’s expertise includes specialized experience in the VA Claims Adjudication processes, applicable VA laws, and regulations. Reviews were structured around considerations of the intended audience and examined the content’s relevance, accuracy, structure, and clarity.
