What Are the Income Requirements for Food Stamps in New York?

Gross Income Requirements

To qualify for food stamps in New York, your total monthly family income must fall below a certain amount. The amount depends on the size of your household. As of 2009, an individual living alone can gross $1,174 and still qualify. A family of two can gross $1,579, a family of three $1,984, and a family of four $2,389.

Households with an elderly or disabled member can gross more and still qualify. As of 2009, an elderly or disabled individual living alone can gross $1,805 and still qualify, while a family of two qualifies with $2,428 in gross income or less. A three-person household can gross $3,052, and a four-person family can gross $3,675 or less and still qualify. Only one family member must be disabled or elderly to qualify under the more lenient gross-income requirements.

States usually require applicants to take home an amount less than the federal poverty level to qualify, in addition to the gross income requirements. New York has no such requirement. New York only counts your gross monthly household income to determine whether you qualify for the food stamp program.

To help you qualify for food stamps, New York allows you to deduct a portion of certain expenses from the amount that counts as income. A portion of your housing costs, utilities, dependent care and medical expenses may reduce the amount that counts toward determining your eligibility. In addition, you can deduct 20 percent of any income you earn --- as opposed to financial assistance you receive, such as Supplemental Security Income benefits --- from your income.

States often require a resource test to qualify for food stamps. This means that your cash, investments and bank accounts must fall below a certain amount to qualify. Formerly in New York, households had to own less than $2,000 in resources to qualify, or $3,000 for households with an elderly or disabled person in the home. In January 2008, New York eliminated the resource requirement. As long as your family meets the income guidelines, you no longer have to maintain a bank balance below $2,000 to remain eligible.