Overall, the Covid-19 pandemic has made it easier to qualify for SNAP benefits. The key factors for determining eligibility are income, total assets, household composition, employment status, student status, and citizenship status.
Federal law sets the baseline standards for SNAP eligibility; however federal law leaves some flexibility for federal agencies and states when they implement SNAP. The most recent federal law establishing baseline SNAP eligibility standards is U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2014.
SNAP is a means-tested program (eligibility is dependent on financial means). At the most basic level, households qualify for SNAP if they have:
(1) gross income (income before specified deductions) below 130% of the federal poverty level
(1a) or, for households with elderly or disabled members, net income (income after specified deductions) below 100% of the federal poverty level
AND
(2) liquid assets below $2,250
(2a) or, for households with elderly or disabled members, liquid assets below $3,500
OR
Households qualify for SNAP if they have already qualify for another means-tested program, including:
[U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2014](https://responsivepolicy.notion.site/U-S-Code-Title-7-Section-2014-3775482ecf364d08a0cb6a0c5ca81916)
Set by law:
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Set by law:
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[U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2014](https://responsivepolicy.notion.site/U-S-Code-Title-7-Section-2014-ad500d0ac8c0480faefe16da1660e387)