Social security: options to protect benefits for vulnerable groups when addressing program solvency

Original publisher: Washington, DC : U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, [2009] OCLC Number: (OCoLC)609852112 Subject: Social security -- Economic aspects -- United States. Excerpt: ... Enclosure V U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging 10 / 26 / 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is a means-tested food assistance program designed to help low-income households with 11 food purchases. Eligibility is based primarily on a household's income and assets. Benefit amounts depend on the number of people living in a household. Households with an elderly person must meet net income 12 limits, whereas other households must meet net and gross income limits. For example, an elderly person living alone may receive a SNAP monthly benefit of up to $ 200 if his or her net income, including Social Security retirement benefits, does not exceed $ 903 per month after certain deductions. In most states, households in which all members are receiving SSI are automatically eligible for SNAP based on income and do not have to meet a separate income or asset test. 11 7 U.S.C. § 2013. 12 Gross income refers to a household's total countable income, before any deductions have been made. Net income refers to gross income minus allowable deductions. Allowable deductions include a standard deduction based on household size, 20 percent of earned income, and certain medical expenses. GAO-10-101R Social Security Page 5