HOW TO CALCULATE BENEFIT LEVEL - SNAP/MSA/HSP
ISSUE DATE: 03/2026
MFIP, GA:
See 0022.12 (How to Calc. Benefit Level - MFIP/ GA).
SNAP:
Determine the benefit level as follows:
1. | Subtract 30% of the unit's net adjusted income from the Thrifty Food Plan amount. Truncate any cents. |
THRIFTY FOOD PLAN VALUES |
UNIT SIZE | BENEFIT AMOUNT |
1 | $298 |
2 | $546 |
3 | $785 |
4 | $994 |
5 | $1,183 |
6 | $1,421 |
7 | $1,571 |
8 | $1,789 |
For each additional member, add $218 |
2. | For applicants and units whose case is reinstated due to a break in eligibility of less than a month, prorate the benefit. See 0022.12.03 (Proration). |
3. | Subtract recoupment amounts. See 0025.21.15 (Recoupment). |
The minimum SNAP allotment is $24 for 1- and 2-person units.
For units in the 1st month of certification, issue benefits which are less than $10 solely because of recoupment. If the benefit is less than $10 for any other reason, issue $0, but do not deny the application.
After the 1st month:
● | If 1- or 2-member units are eligible for less than $24 in monthly SNAP, issue $24 unless there is an overpayment which you are recouping. |
● | Issue SNAP monthly benefits to units of 3 or more members even if the amount is less than $24. |
A unit of 3 or more people may pass the gross income test and meet net income limits but be eligible for $0 in benefits. For these units, approve the application or keep the ongoing case open.
Also see 0024.03.03 (When Benefits Are Paid - SNAP/MSA/GA/HSP), 0024.04 (How Benefits Are Paid).
MSA:
Follow the procedures below to determine the benefit level.
FOR SSI RECIPIENTS
1. | Subtract $20 dollars from the client's SSI FBR. For information about the SSI Federal Benefit Rate (FBR), see 0029.06.03 (Supplemental Security Income Program). Do NOT allow the $20 disregard for residents of a long term care facility for which MA pays their cost of care. Do not make any adjustments due to other income the client may have (SSA has already adjusted the SSI payment). |
2. | Locate the appropriate standard in 0020.21 (MSA Assistance Standards). Add any special need items the client is eligible for. See 0023 (Special Needs Payments). |
3. | Subtract the result of Step 1 from the result of Step 2. The difference is the MSA benefit for the month. In the case of a married couple where BOTH partners have a basis of eligibility, divide the total by 2 to determine the benefit amount for each partner. |
4. | Determine if there is a recoupable amount. If there is, subtract the recoupment. See 0025.21.15 (Recoupment). |
FOR NON-SSI RECIPIENTS
1. | Locate the appropriate assistance standard in 0020.21 (MSA Assistance Standards). Add any special need items the client is eligible for in 0023 (Special Needs Payments). |
2. | Subtract the client's net income from the result of Step 1. See 0018 (Determining Net Income). The difference is the benefit for that month. In the case of an eligible married couple where BOTH partners are on MSA, divide the difference by 2 to determine the benefit amount for each partner. |
3. | Determine if there is a recoupable amount. If there is, subtract the recoupment. See 0025.21.15 (Recoupment). |
HSP:
Subtract net income in the budget month from the assistance standard for the corresponding payment month. NOTE: For the month the client enters the HSP setting, subtract ONLY the income that is actually available for that month. See 0018 (Determining Net Income).
The assistance standard for a HSP client is the HSP rate specified on the MAXIS MONY/VND2 panel plus the difficulty of care amount specified on the MAXIS STAT/FACI panel for clients in adult foster homes without other service funding. See 0020.22 (HSP Assistance Standards).
PREVIOUS REVISIONS
| Date | Notes |
|---|---|
| 10/2025 | in SNAP, updates the Thrifty Food Plan Values and the Minimum SNAP Allotment. |
| 10/2024 | in SNAP updates the Thrifty Food Plan Values and the Minimum SNAP Allotment. |
| 02/2024 | added the missing word “adjusted” to step 1 and uncapitalized minimum allotment. |
| 10/2023 | in SNAP updates the Thrifty Food Plan Values and the Minimum SNAP Allotment. |
| 10/2022 | in SNAP updates the Thrifty Food Plan Values and the Minimum SNAP Allotment. |
| 10/2021 | in SNAP updates the Thrifty Food Plan Values and the Minimum SNAP Allotment to reflect COLA changes. |
| 10/2020 | in SNAP updates the Thrifty Food Plan Values and the Minimum SNAP Allotment. |
| 10/2019 | in SNAP updates the Thrifty Food Plan Values and the Minimum SNAP Allotment. |
| 10/2018 | in SNAP updates Thrifty Food Plan Values and Minimum SNAP Allotment due to (FY) 2019 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) to SNAP. |
| 10/2017 | in SNAP updates the Thrifty Food Plan Values and the Minimum SNAP Allotment due to the (FY) 2018 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). |
| 12/2014 | Removed WB. This program was suspended 12/1/14. |
| 10/2014 | in SNAP updates the Thrifty Food Plan Values and the Minimum SNAP Allotment amount. |
| 11/2013 | in SNAP updates the Thrifty Food Plan Values and the Minimum SNAP Allotment amount. |
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