N.M. Code R. § 8.139.610.13

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 11, June 11, 2024

Section 8.139.610.13 - CALCULATING THE BENEFIT AMOUNT

A household's net income is used to determine its SNAP benefit amount. The net income is the gross amount less allowable deductions. To determine the household's net income:

A. The gross monthly income earned by all household members is added to the total monthly unearned income of all household members, less income exclusions, to determine the household's total gross income. The household must qualify at the gross income calculation.

B. The total gross monthly earned income is multiplied by twenty percent; the result is subtracted from the total gross earned income; add the result to the total monthly unearned income; or multiply the total gross monthly earned income by eighty percent and add the result to the total monthly unearned income.

C. Subtract the standard deduction.

D. If the household is entitled to an excess medical deduction, determine if total medical expenses exceed 35 dollars ($35.00). If so, subtract the amount which exceeds 35 dollars ($35.00).

E. Subtract the child support deduction as determined by Paragraph 2 of Subsection G of 8.139.520.11 NMAC.

F. Subtract allowable monthly dependent care expenses, if any, up to the maximum amount per dependent; if the household has no shelter expenses, the net income has been determined at this point; go to step J.

G. If the household has shelter expenses, divide the result in Subsection F by two.

H. Determine if the household is entitled to an excess shelter expense deduction as follows:

(1)For households not entitled to uncapped shelter:

(a) total the allowable shelter expenses;

(b) subtract from the total shelter expenses fifty percent of the household's monthly income after all other deductions have been subtracted, i.e., the result in Subsection G;

(c) the remaining amount is the excess shelter expense; compare this amount to the current excess shelter deduction limit as found at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/cost-living-adjustment-cola-information;

(d) subtract the current excess shelter deduction amount or the result in Paragraph (c), whichever is less, from the household's monthly income determined in Subsection F; the household's net income has been determined; go to step I.

(2)For households entitled to uncapped shelter: Households containing an elderly or disabled member are entitled to an uncapped shelter expense deduction. Such households have the full amount of the shelter expense exceeding fifty percent of the households net income subtracted. To determine the net income for a household entitled to an uncapped shelter expense deduction, complete steps A through G as described above, and then:

(a) total the allowable shelter expenses;

(b) subtract from the total shelter expenses fifty percent of the household's monthly income after all other deductions have been have been subtracted (the result in Subsection G); the remaining amount is the excess shelter expense;

(c) subtract the amount in Paragraph (b) from the monthly income amount determined in Subsection F; the household's net income has been determined; go to step I.

I. Round each income calculation to the nearest dollar (one cent ($.01) through 49 cents ($.49) round down; 50 cents ($.50) through 99 cents ($.99) round up).

J. Multiply the household's net income by thirty percent; round the cents up to the nearest dollar, and subtract that amount from the maximum SNAP benefit amount for the household's size. The SNAP benefit amount for the household is determined.

N.M. Code R. § 8.139.610.13

02/01/95, 10/01/95; 8.139.610.13 NMAC - Rn, 8 NMAC 3.FSP.621, 5/15/2001, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXIX, Issue 14, July 24, 2018, eff. 7/24/2018