A Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) unit is the group of people who need help with money to buy food. A unit is typically a family but does not have to be a family. A SNAP unit can be:

• A person of any age who lives alone
• A person who lives with others, but buys and makes his or her own food
• A group of people who live together and buy and make their food together

The size of the SNAP unit helps the Department of Human Services (DHS) determine how much money you should get. The following people must be included in your SNAP unit:

• Your spouse that lives with you;
• Anyone under age 18 who is financially on an adult SNAP Unit member, even if they eat separately;
• Any parent and their child under age 22. 

You may choose to include any foster children in your SNAP case.

It is possible to live in the same house and be considered a separate SNAP unit from your child, but only if you are living in totally separate living quarters with no shared living space. For example, if the child is living in a completely separate apartment in the basement of the parents’ home. The apartment must have its own kitchen, bathroom, etc. In some situations, college students living in a household may be excluded from the SNAP unit. Some qualifying members may be considered 2 separate SNAP units even though they purchase and make their food with the people they live with. Check with your local DHS office if you think this could apply to you.