Gross Income Guidelines

• Most families must meet two income requirements to qualify for food stamps. For most families, your income before taxes and other deductions must fall below 130% of the federal poverty level. As of October 2009, a family of four in Utah could gross $2389 per month or lower and qualify for food stamps. A family of six could gross $3200, and a family of eight could gross $4010. If your household includes an elderly or disabled person, you must gross less than 165% of the national poverty level to qualify. A family of four with a disabled or elderly family member may receive up to $3032 per month and still qualify. A family of six with a disabled or elderly family member must gross less than $4061 and a family of eight must gross less than $5089.
  
  

Net Income Guidelines

• The program allows you to deduct expenses like housing, electricity, medical care and the cost of caring for a child when counting your net income. Utah also allows you to deduct 20 percent of your income as a standard deduction. As of October 2009, a family of four in Utah could take home $1838 after allowable deductions and still qualify for food stamps. A family of six could net $2461, and a family of eight could net $3085.
  
  

Exceptions

• Some families receiving public assistance qualify for the food stamp program without regard to household income. Families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Family Employment Program income receive an exemption from the household income requirement in Utah.
  
  

Resources

• To qualify for food stamps, your cash, bank account and other resources must not total more than $2000. Utah excludes the cost of your home and cars when counting resources. Households with an elderly or disabled resident must have resources totaling less than $3000 to qualify.