What Assets You Can Have While Receiving SNAP as a Person with a Disability

SNAP asset limits are higher for households with a disabled member, but the rules about what counts as an asset are strict

If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), SNAP counts your assets differently than it would for other households. The asset limit for a household with a disabled or elderly member is $3,500, compared to $2,500 for other households. However, not everything you own counts toward that limit — and the things that do count can disqualify you even if you're just slightly over.

The key difference is that certain assets are excluded from the count entirely. Your home, your car (with some limits), and money set aside in certain disability savings accounts don't count. But cash in the bank, vehicles beyond the first one, and items you own but don't use for daily living do count, and they count at their full current value.

Understanding which of your possessions matter for SNAP is the difference between being told you don't may have access to and being told you do. This guide walks through what counts, what doesn't, and what to do if you're close to the limit.

Key Takeaways

• Households with a disabled member can have up to $3,500 in countable assets and still receive SNAP, compared to $2,500 for other households.
• Your primary home and one vehicle are excluded from the asset count no matter their value, but a second car or boat counts at full market value.
• Cash, savings accounts, and money market accounts all count toward your limit, but money in an ABLE account or certain special needs trusts does not.
• Items like furniture, clothing, and tools you use for work are excluded, but jewelry, collectibles, and recreational vehicles count unless they're your only vehicle.
• Your state SNAP office will ask you to list your assets on the application, and you can ask them which specific items they count before you apply.

What counts as an asset for SNAP

An asset is anything you own that has cash value. For SNAP purposes, this includes money in any bank account (checking, savings, money market), cash on hand, stocks, bonds, and retirement accounts you can withdraw from before retirement age. It also includes vehicles beyond your first one, recreational equipment like boats or ATVs, and real estate other than your primary home.

The rule is straightforward: if you could sell it for money today, it counts. The amount that counts is what someone would pay for it right now, not what you paid for it or what you owe on it. If you own a car worth $8,000 but still owe $6,000 on the loan, the full $8,000 counts toward your asset limit.

Personal items like clothing, furniture, and household goods do not count, even if they're expensive. Tools you use for work or a hobby that produces income don't count. Vehicles used for work (like a truck you use for a job) may be excluded depending on your state's rules — ask your SNAP office whether your specific vehicle qualifies.

Assets that are completely excluded from the count

Certain assets never count, no matter how much they're worth. Your primary residence — the home where you live — is excluded entirely. The land it sits on, improvements you've made, and the current market value don't matter. This is true even if your home is worth $500,000 or more.

Your first vehicle is also excluded, regardless of its value or condition. This means you can own a car worth $15,000 and it won't count against your $3,500 limit. However, a second car, truck, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle counts at full value. If you own three vehicles, two of them count.

Money in an ABLE account (a tax-advantaged savings account for people with disabilities) is excluded up to $100,000. Money in certain types of special needs trusts set up by a parent or grandparent is also excluded. Some states exclude money set aside for burial expenses (usually up to $1,500 per person). Ask your state SNAP office which exclusions apply where you live.

How to find out what your assets are worth

When you apply for SNAP, you'll need to list what you own and estimate its value. For bank accounts, this is simple — the balance is the value. For vehicles, you can use the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Guides online or Kelley Blue Book to look up the current market value of your make, model, and year. For a home, you don't need to do anything — it's excluded anyway.

For other items — jewelry, collectibles, tools, equipment — estimate what you could sell it for today. You don't need receipts or appraisals unless your SNAP office asks for them. If you're unsure whether something counts or what it's worth, call your state SNAP office before you apply and ask. They can tell you whether a specific item is excluded and help you estimate its value.

Keep in mind that your assets are counted on the day you apply. If you sell something or spend down savings between the time you apply and the time you're approved, that doesn't change your application. But if you're close to the limit and worried, you can ask your SNAP office what the current count is before you submit your application.

What happens if you're over the asset limit

If your countable assets are over $3,500 (or $2,500 if no one in your household is disabled or elderly), you won't be found to meet SNAP's asset test. This means you won't receive SNAP benefits, even if your income is low enough to may have access to. The asset limit is separate from the income limit — you have to pass both tests.

If you're close to the limit, you have options. You can spend down assets on allowed expenses like medical care, food, or utilities. You can pay off debt. You can move money into an excluded account like an ABLE account if you're may be able to access. You can also wait — if your circumstances change and your assets go down, you can apply again later.

Some people choose to give away assets to family members, but this can create problems. SNAP rules include a "transfer of assets" penalty if you give away resources to become may be able to access. The safest approach is to talk to your SNAP office about your specific situation before you apply.

Special accounts and trusts that don't count

An ABLE account is a savings account created specifically for people with disabilities. Money in an ABLE account is excluded from SNAP's asset count up to $100,000. If you have more than $100,000 in an ABLE account, only the amount over $100,000 counts. You can open an ABLE account through your state's plan — each state runs its own, and the rules vary slightly, but all of them exclude the first $100,000 from SNAP's asset test.

Money in a special needs trust (also called a supplemental needs trust) set up by a parent, grandparent, or court is excluded from SNAP's asset count. This is true even if you're the beneficiary and the trust has a large balance. The trust itself is the owner of the money, not you, so it doesn't count as your asset. However, money the trust pays to you directly does count once it's in your hands.

Some states also exclude money set aside for burial or funeral expenses, usually up to $1,500 per person. A few states exclude money in certain education savings accounts. The rules vary by state, so ask your SNAP office what exclusions are available where you live.

How often your assets are checked

Your assets are checked when you apply for SNAP and again when you recertify — usually every 12 months, though some states recertify more often. If you're recertifying and your assets have gone up, you might lose benefits. If they've gone down, you might become may be able to access again.

Between recertifications, SNAP doesn't monitor your assets. You're not required to report changes in what you own unless your state specifically asks you to. However, if you're asked during recertification and you don't report an increase in assets, that's considered fraud. Be honest about what you have when you apply and when you recertify.

If you receive SSI, Social Security may also check your assets as part of their own rules. SSI has its own asset limits ($2,000 for an individual, $3,000 for a couple), which are lower than SNAP's. You could pass SNAP's asset test but fail SSI's. These are separate programs with separate rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my car count if I still owe money on it?

Yes, the full current market value counts, not the amount you owe. If your car is worth $10,000 and you owe $7,000 on the loan, the full $10,000 counts toward your asset limit. The loan balance doesn't reduce the asset value for SNAP purposes.

What if I have a second vehicle I don't use?

A second vehicle counts at full market value, even if it's broken down or you never drive it. If you want to exclude it from your assets, you would need to sell it or give it away. Ask your SNAP office whether they can help you understand the value before you decide.

Can I put money in an ABLE account to avoid the asset limit?

Yes, if you're may be able to access to open an ABLE account. You can move money into an ABLE account, and up to $100,000 of it will be excluded from SNAP's asset count. However, you must be may be able to access for SSI or SSDI, and the account must be opened in your name. Talk to your state's ABLE program about how to open one.

Do I have to report my assets if I'm already receiving SNAP?

You report assets when you apply and when you recertify. Between those times, you're not required to report changes unless your state asks you to. However, if you're asked during recertification and you don't report an increase, that's considered fraud. Always be honest when asked.

What if my home is worth a lot of money?

Your primary home is excluded from SNAP's asset count no matter what it's worth. You could own a home worth $1 million and it wouldn't affect your SNAP benefits. Only your first home is excluded — if you own a second property, that counts as an asset.