It's asking me for total amount received for public assistance/welfare for state modified gross income. I understand it's non taxable. Should it be left blank?

[Anita01]

No, you should enter it.  Like the federal sales tax deduction, many calculations require the addition of nontaxable income to see if you qualify.

[emily88p]

what is considered public assistance? all i receive snaps and medicaid...

[Anita01]

medicaid isn't money so you don't need to include that.  If SNAPS are food stamps, you would include the value of those.