Survivor benefits count as income and will reduce your food stamps amount
When you receive survivor benefits — payments from Social Security because a family member died — those payments are counted as unearned income on your food stamps case. The program uses your total monthly income to calculate how much food assistance you receive. The more income you report, the lower your food stamps benefit will be.
The reduction is not dollar-for-dollar. Food stamps uses a formula that allows you to deduct certain expenses (like housing costs) before calculating your benefit. But survivor benefits themselves are counted with no special exemption. If your survivor benefits push your household income above the limit for your state and household size, you may lose food stamps may be able to access entirely.
Key Takeaways
- Survivor benefits from Social Security are counted as unearned income and reduce your food stamps benefit amount.
- Your state's food stamps office needs to know about survivor benefits when you apply or when they start — not reporting them can result in overpayment you must repay.
- The income limit for food stamps varies by household size and state, and survivor benefits count toward that limit.
- If survivor benefits cause your income to exceed the limit, you lose food stamps, but you should still report the income to avoid penalties.
How survivor benefits are counted in the income calculation
Food stamps counts the full monthly amount of your survivor benefit as income. If you receive $800 per month in survivor benefits, that entire $800 is added to any other income your household has — wages, unemployment, child support, or other benefits.
The program then suballs certain deductions: a standard deduction (set by your state), a 20 percent deduction from earned income if anyone in your household works, and actual costs for child care, medical expenses, and housing. After those deductions, the remaining amount is your countable income. Your food stamps benefit is based on that countable income, not your gross income.
This means survivor benefits do reduce your food stamps, but the reduction depends on what other deductions apply to your case. A household with high housing costs may see a smaller reduction than a household with low housing costs, even if both receive the same survivor benefit amount.
Income limits and when survivor benefits disqualify you
Food stamps has a gross income limit — usually 130 percent of the federal poverty line for your household size — and a net income limit after deductions are applied. Both limits vary by state and are adjusted each year.
If your household's gross income (including survivor benefits) exceeds the gross limit, you are disqualified from food stamps in most states. Some states have slightly different rules, so you should contact your local food stamps office to learn your state's exact limits. Your office can tell you the limit for your household size and whether your survivor benefits push you over it.
If you are disqualified because of survivor benefits, you cannot receive food stamps until your income drops below the limit again. This might happen if survivor benefits end, if another household member's income changes, or if your household size changes.
Reporting survivor benefits to your food stamps case
You must report survivor benefits to your food stamps office when you first apply and whenever the amount changes. Most people report this information on their application form or during a phone or in-person interview. If you already receive food stamps and then start receiving survivor benefits, contact your office within 10 days to report the change.
Your food stamps case will be recalculated to include the survivor benefit income. Your benefit amount will go down, or you may lose may be able to access. The office will send you a notice explaining the change and your new benefit amount (if any).
If you do not report survivor benefits and the office later discovers them, you may be required to repay any food stamps you received while not reporting the income. This is called an overpayment. Reporting promptly protects you from this debt.
What happens if survivor benefits change or stop
If your survivor benefit amount increases, decreases, or ends, you must report that change to your food stamps office. An increase means your food stamps will go down further. A decrease or end means your food stamps may go up, and you might regain may be able to access if you had lost it.
Social Security usually sends you a notice when your benefit changes. Keep that notice and send a copy to your food stamps office, or call and report the change. Do not wait for your next recertification — report it within 10 days so your case is updated correctly.
If survivor benefits end because the beneficiary reaches a certain age or because the case closes, your household income will drop. Your food stamps office will recalculate your benefit, and you may receive more assistance or regain may be able to access if you had been disqualified.
Other income and benefits that affect your food stamps with survivor benefits
Survivor benefits are just one type of income. Your food stamps calculation also includes wages, self-employment income, unemployment benefits, child support, alimony, and most other government benefits. The more total income your household has, the lower your food stamps benefit will be.
Some income is not counted: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is not counted as income for food stamps purposes, though it is counted for other programs. Certain types of student aid, energy assistance, and child support paid to a third party are also excluded. Ask your food stamps office which types of income in your case are counted and which are not.
If you have survivor benefits plus other income, your food stamps office will add all countable income together before applying deductions and calculating your benefit.
How to report changes and stay in compliance
Keep your food stamps case current by reporting changes within 10 days. This includes survivor benefits starting, stopping, or changing amount. You can report changes by phone, mail, online (if your state offers it), or in person at your local food stamps office.
When you report, have the following information ready: the name of the person receiving survivor benefits, the monthly amount, the date it started, and the Social Security case number if you have it. Your office may ask for a copy of the Social Security award letter or a recent benefit statement.
Staying current with reports protects you from overpayment debt and ensures your benefit amount is correct. If you are unsure whether something counts as income or whether you need to report it, call your office and ask — it is better to report something you are not sure about than to miss a reporting deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose food stamps if I start receiving survivor benefits?
Not automatically. Your benefit will be recalculated to account for the survivor income, and it will go down. You lose food stamps only if your total household income (including survivor benefits) exceeds your state's income limit. Contact your food stamps office to find out whether survivor benefits will disqualify you.
Do I have to report survivor benefits if I am already on food stamps?
Yes. You must report survivor benefits within 10 days of receiving them. If you do not report and your office finds out later, you may have to repay any food stamps you received during the time you were not reporting the income.
What if my survivor benefits are for a child in my household?
Child survivor benefits are counted as income for the household. They reduce the food stamps benefit just like any other unearned income. The child does not have to be the one applying for food stamps — if the benefits are in the household, they count toward the household's total income.
Can I get food stamps if survivor benefits are my only income?
It depends on the amount. If your survivor benefits are low enough that your household income is below your state's limit, you can receive food stamps. The benefit amount will be based on the survivor income minus deductions. Contact your local food stamps office to find out whether you meet the income limit.
What if I disagree with how my food stamps office counted survivor benefits?
You have the right to request a hearing. Your food stamps notice will explain how to file a hearing request. You can bring documentation of your survivor benefits (such as your Social Security award letter) and ask the hearing officer to review how your case was calculated. Contact your office for details on the hearing process in your state.