Food Stamp Households

The Food Stamp Program (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP) gives you benefits based on your household. This factsheet explains about Food Stamp Households.

What is a Food Stamp Household?

• A food stamp household is a group of people living together who buy food and prepare meals together.
• It can be one person buying and preparing food on his own.

Can one house have two or more food stamp households?

• Yes. People in separate food stamp households can live together.

What is a separate food stamp household?

• It can be one person buying and preparing food separately from others in the house.
• It can be a group of persons who buy and prepare their food separately from others in the house.
  • They don't have to store their food separately.
  • They don't have to use a different stove or refrigerator.
• It can also be someone over 60 years old with a disability that keeps him from buying food and preparing meals.
  • The income of the people he lives with must be less than 165% of the poverty level.
  • They do not have to buy food and prepare meals separately.
• Someone of any age who can't buy food and prepare meals because of a disability can be a separate household from someone who lives with him and buys and prepares meals.
  • The other person must buy the food separately and prepare separate meals.

Can I be a separate household from my spouse?

• No. Spouses living together have to be in the same food stamp household.

Can my children live with me and be a separate household?

• Only if your children are 22 years old or older.
• A younger child living with a parent must be in the parent's food stamp household, even if the child is married or has children.

How do I apply for food stamps separately?

• When you fill out your application, put in only the people you want in your food stamp household.
• Tell your food stamp worker about the other people who live with you, but explain that they buy food and prepare meals separately.

Reviewed May 2012

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