It can be super frustrating to lose benefits you’ve come to rely on, like food stamps. If you were receiving SNAP benefits (that’s what food stamps are called now) for a year and then got denied, you probably have a lot of questions. Why did this happen? What changed? This essay will explain some of the most common reasons why someone might be denied food stamps, even after receiving them for a while.
Changes in Your Income or Assets
One of the biggest reasons for denial is a change in your financial situation. SNAP is designed to help people with low incomes afford food, so your eligibility is constantly being reviewed. If your income goes up, you might no longer qualify, even if it’s just a little bit. This can include income from a job, unemployment benefits, or even money from a relative.
The rules also look at your assets. Assets are things you own, like a bank account or a car (sometimes). If your assets go over a certain limit, you might not qualify for SNAP. The asset limits vary by state and household size, but the government wants to make sure people aren’t using SNAP when they have enough resources of their own.
Here’s a quick example of how income changes can affect your benefits:
- You start a part-time job, earning extra money.
- Your income increases above the allowed amount.
- Because your income is too high, you are no longer eligible.
It’s important to remember that the amount you’re allowed to earn, or have in assets, is based on how many people live in your household.
Household Composition Changes
What Does That Mean?
Another reason for denial is a change in the people living in your home. SNAP benefits are based on the size of your household and how many people you are responsible for feeding. If someone moves out, it could affect your benefits.
Maybe a child turned 18 and is no longer considered a dependent. Or perhaps a roommate moved out. These changes can impact your SNAP eligibility. The agency needs to know who is living with you and sharing food costs to calculate how much you need to get by.
It’s also possible that a new person has joined your household. If they have their own income, it might affect your eligibility as well. If a new person does not have any income, it is important to communicate with your case worker, so that your case worker can provide accurate information.
Here’s a breakdown of some possible household changes and their effects:
- Someone moves out: benefits may decrease or be denied.
- Someone new moves in: benefits may change depending on their income and needs.
- Changes in dependent status (like a child turning 18): benefits may decrease.
- A new baby: benefits may increase.
Failure to Comply with Program Rules
Following the Rules is Important
SNAP has rules you must follow to keep getting benefits. If you don’t follow these rules, you might get denied. This is one of the most frustrating reasons, because following the rules should be easy. This can include not responding to requests for information from the SNAP office or not completing a required interview.
Some people might miss a recertification appointment, which is a meeting to review your eligibility. Other times, it might involve not reporting changes in your income or household, as explained earlier. The government wants to make sure it’s giving food stamps to people who truly need them, so if you don’t provide them with correct information, your food stamps could get cut off.
The SNAP agency also may need to know about employment, sometimes. If you are required to work, you must work. If you are required to look for a job, you must look for a job. Not doing what you are supposed to do can lead to a denial.
To avoid this issue, keep all of your information updated. Here’s a table of things you can do:
| Action | Why it Matters |
|---|---|
| Respond to all letters and requests. | Make sure the agency has the correct information. |
| Attend all appointments. | Helps the agency know if you qualify. |
| Report all changes immediately. | Keeps your case updated. |
Ineligibility Due to Other Factors
Other Reasons Why
There are other reasons why you might be denied SNAP benefits, even if your income and household size haven’t changed much. If you’ve been accused of fraud, which means you gave false information on purpose to get benefits, that can definitely lead to denial. If the agency believes you have committed fraud, they might deny you for a certain amount of time, or even permanently.
Sometimes, people are denied because of residency requirements. You usually need to live in the state where you’re applying for SNAP. If you move to a different state, you’ll need to reapply there. Also, you might be denied if you have been convicted of certain crimes, such as drug felonies in some cases. This is a state by state rule.
The SNAP program also has rules about work requirements. Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) may have to meet certain work requirements to get benefits. If you’re an ABAWD and don’t meet these requirements, you might be denied. If this is the case, your case worker should reach out to you, to inform you of this and other options.
Here are a few of the “other” reasons:
- Fraud: Falsely receiving aid.
- Residency: Not residing in the state.
- Work Requirements: Not fulfilling work duties.
Ultimately, the most likely reason you were denied food stamps after a year is because there was a change in your circumstances. Always be sure to review all information carefully, and contact the SNAP office if you need clarification on your situation or eligibility.