Oct. 1, 2023 through Sept. 30, 2024 SNAP Eligibility in Vermont (3SquaresVT)
There are three eligibility tests for SNAP: the Gross Income, the Net Income, and the Asset tests.
Depending on your state and whether your household has a member who is 60 or older or has a disability, your household may be exempt from the Gross Income, Net Income, and/or Asset tests.
Vermont, where the SNAP program is known as 3SquaresVT, has expanded eligibility beyond the standard federal SNAP eligibility requirements,
which is why other websites may display stricter financial eligibility requirements
than what you see on this page.
While the Gross Income and Asset tests are straightforward, Net Income is more difficult to calculate. We recommend using our SNAP Eligibility Calculator to see you're income eligible for SNAP benefits.
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Gross Income Limits
Total monthly household income before taxes, including job, self-employment, and other income like social security, disability, child support, worker's comp, unemployment, and pension income. -
All Households
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If the household has a member who is 60 or older or has a disability but is over the gross income limit below, the household can instead qualify by meeting the Net Income and Asset tests.1 person$2247 / month2 people$3041 / month3 people$3833 / month4 people$4625 / month5 people$5418 / month6 people$6210 / month7 people$7002 / monthEach additional person+$793 / monthThe gross income limit is 185% of the federal poverty level.
Net Income Limits
Net income is a household's gross income minus deductions.
At the bottom of the page are some of the expenses that can be deducted to calculate net income. It's difficult to calculate net income without a SNAP calculator as the shelter-related expenses (utilities and rent) can only be deducted if they exceed half the household's income after other deductions have been applied. Additionally, there is a limit on the maximum shelter deduction for some households.
SNAP benefit amounts are based on a household's net income. While there are minimum and maximum SNAP benefit amounts, in general $100 more in net income = $30 less in benefits.-
Households with a member who is 60 or older or has a disability only have to meet this test if they did not pass the Gross Income test above. All other households do not have to meet this test.
SNAP benefit amounts are based on Net Income. Even if the household passes all the eligibility tests, Net Income may be too high to get a benefit.1 person$1215 / month2 people$1644 / month3 people$2072 / month4 people$2500 / month5 people$2929 / month6 people$3357 / month7 people$3785 / monthEach additional person+$429 / monthThe net income limit is 100% of the federal poverty level.Asset / Resource Limit
This means countable resources, like funds in bank accounts. A home is not counted as a resource. One vehicle per adult and any income-producing vehicles are not counted as resources. For all other vehicles, count the value exceeding $4,650.There is no asset limit in Vermont. If the household has a member who is 60 or older or has a disability and did not meet the Gross Income test above, the household can alternatively qualify under the federal program rules which have an asset limit of $4,250 but no Gross Income limit.
Note: The SNAP application may still ask about your household's assets, even if the asset limit does not apply.DeductionChild Support Payments Treatment
Court-ordered child support payments are excluded from gross income. Unlike other deductions that only impact net income, child support payments are excluded from gross income, reducing both gross and net income.DeductionStandard Medical Deduction
Monthly out of pocket medical expenses for household members who are 60 or older or have a disability can be deducted when calculating net income. You can deduct the full amount of expenses (minus $35) with verification. Alternatively if you have medical expenses over $35, you can use the standard medical deduction amount of $156 without needing to verify all expenses.DeductionUtility Allowances
Households can only receive one utility allowance. If a household qualifies for multiple allowances, choose the highest allowance.
Heating and Cooling: If a household pays utility bills for heating and cooling, or receives over $20 in heating assistance from LIHEAP, this allowance can be claimed.
Basic Utility Allowance: If a household pays for two or more utility bills (including electricity, gas, water, sewage, trash, or telephone), this allowance can be claimed.
Single Utilities: If a household pays for the utility, this allowance can be claimed.DeductionOther Deductions
Households can receive deductions for the following expenses. Shelter deductions (utilities, rent, and homeowners insurance) only apply for the amount that total shelter expenses exceed a percentage of household income, and are limited to a maximum amount if the household does not contain a member who is 60 or older or has a disability.-
Maximum Benefit Amounts
SNAP benefit amounts are based on a household's net income. Our SNAP Eligibility Calculator can give you a dollar estimate of what you could receive in SNAP benefits.-
1 person$291 / month
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2 people$535 / month
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3 people$766 / month
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4 people$973 / month
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5 people$1155 / month
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6 people$1386 / month
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7 people$1532 / month
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Each additional person+$219 / month
Are you eligible for SNAP? See if you might qualify by using our SNAP & WIC eligibility calculator
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