Charlotte, NC, Lawyers Explain Whether a Personal Injury Settlement Affects Your Food Stamps
Many accident victims worry about how compensation will affect their ability to continue qualifying for government assistance. When someone accepts a settlement after an injury, they often wonder, "Will a personal injury settlement affect my food stamps?" The answer depends on several factors, including the settlement amount and how the funds are structured.
A personal injury lawyer in Charlotte, NC, can provide guidance on protecting benefits while securing compensation. Below, Yale Haymond Law PLLC explains how settlements can impact food stamps and what legal strategies may help preserve eligibility.
How Personal Injury Settlements Impact Food Stamps Eligibility
Personal injury settlements can affect food stamps eligibility because the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program counts settlement money as income. Recipients may temporarily lose benefits if the settlement amount exceeds program asset limits. The impact depends on the settlement size and how recipients structure the payment.
North Carolina sets monthly income limits for government assistance based on household size. For a single person seeking food stamps, total household income cannot exceed $2,430 per month, while a family of four faces a $5,000 monthly limit. Recipients need to report any income changes to their local SNAP office within 10 days.
Understanding Charlotte Income Requirements and Settlement Types
The question “Will a personal injury settlement affect my food stamps?” depends largely on the type of compensation awarded. Not all settlement money counts as income under SNAP rules. Lost wages replacement, punitive damages, emotional distress payments, and interest typically count as income, while medical expense reimbursements for injuries, property damage compensation, and attorney fees may not.
The payment structure also matters. Lump-sum payments lead to immediate resource increases that can exceed monthly limits, while structured settlements with regular payments may keep income near eligibility thresholds. Settlements can also impact other government benefits like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income, so it's important for victims to consider consulting a financial advisor or attorney.
Legal Strategies To Protect Food Stamps After Accepting a Settlement
An attorney can help recipients minimize how settlements affect their benefits through proper legal planning. One option involves establishing a trust for a disabled individual under 65, which places the settlement money in an account that doesn't count toward resource limits. Another strategy requires attorney guidance to structure settlements in ways that minimize impact on income calculations.
Yale Haymond Law PLLC understands SNAP regulations and works with clients to protect their settlement and their benefits through appropriate legal structures.
Charlotte Personal Injury Lawyers Help Victims Navigate Benefits and Settlements
"Will a personal injury settlement affect my food stamps?" Yale Haymond Law PLLC works with clients to structure settlements in ways that minimize impact on food stamps, Medicaid, and other assistance programs when accepting an offer. Their experienced attorneys understand the complex rules governing resource limits and income requirements for public benefits.
About Yale Haymond Law PLLC
Yale Haymond Law PLLC is a Charlotte-based personal injury law firm dedicated to representing accident victims. The firm understands the challenges clients face when settlements affect their public assistance benefits.
Charlotte residents wondering “Will a personal injury settlement affect my food stamps?” can call Yale Haymond Law PLLC at (704) 800-4357 to discuss their case.
