Do I have to claim snap benefits?

[KatrinaB · Accepted solution]

No. Welfare and food stamp benefits are not taxable and do not need to be reported on your tax return.

[BORICUA2]

I have a question, my father was rendered disabled after a surgery and while my sibling was able to claim him for snap benefits, can I claim him as a dependent? I am currently head of the household and have been paying the bills since he had to stop working.

[xmasbaby0]

@BORICUA2 We do not have enough information to determine if you can claim your father as a dependent.  You say he became disabled---but do not mention when that happened, or what income he had--or still has.

You *might* be able to claim him as a qualified relative if he meets the criteria.

Qualifying relative

• They don't have to be related to you (despite the name).
• They aren't claimed as a dependent by someone else.
• They're a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national, or a Canadian or Mexican resident.
• They aren’t filing a joint return with their spouse.
• They lived with you the entire year (exceptions apply).
• They made less than $5050 in 2024 (not counting Social Security)
• You provided more than half of their financial support.

When you add someone as a dependent, we'll ask a series of questions to make sure you can claim them. There may be other tax benefits you can get when you claim a dependent.

Related Information:

• What does "financially support another person" mean?

IRS interview to help determine who can be claimed:

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/who-can-i-claim-as-a-dependent

[BORICUA2]

He had stopped working back in June of 2023 and did not work all of 2024. As he had worked the first half of 2023 he still had to file his own return. But in 2024 he had no income and I provided support. When doing the IRS interview link it says I am able to claim him. However if I do claim him I do not want it to interfere with the snap benefits he receives.

[xmasbaby0]

@BORICUA2 We cannot tell you if his SNAP benefits would be affected----we can only answer questions about income tax and about using the software.   If you claim him, you only get a non-refundable $500 credit for other dependents which can reduce the tax you owe.   You will have to find out from some other source whether that would affect his SNAP benefits.   The laws vary from state to state.