BenefitsCalc

https://github.com/ibotzhub/benefits-calc-

A desktop benefits calculator that translates government program rules into plain English. Shows every calculation step so people understand what counts, what does not, and why.

Covers: SSI, SSDI, SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and Representative Payee tools. All 50 states + DC. 2026 federal figures.

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What it does

Most benefits calculators give you a number with no explanation. This one shows the full chain -- every exclusion, every deduction, every threshold -- so the person using it actually understands their situation and knows what changes when their income changes.

Key things it gets right that most tools miss:

• SSI gross income warning -- SSI uses gross earnings before taxes, not take-home pay. The app flags this on every income input screen.
• SSI halving rule -- SSI only counts half of remaining earned income. Most people do not know this. The app explains it at every step.
• Work incentive math -- Shows total income (SSI + take-home) not just the SSI amount, so people can see that working almost always puts more money in their pocket.
• SSDI Trial Work Period tracking -- Counts TWP months used and remaining, and explains what happens when the EPE begins.
• Concurrent SSI + SSDI -- Automatically flags when SSDI is low enough that SSI may supplement it.
• SNAP BBCE rules -- 45 states use expanded eligibility. The app applies each state's actual gross income limit, not just the federal default.
• Medicaid 1634 vs 209B -- In 1634 states, SSI gives automatic Medicaid. In 209B states it does not. The app handles both and tells you which one applies.
• Non-expansion coverage gap -- In the 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid, the app identifies the gap and explains it plainly.
• Rep payee resource limit -- Tracks conserved SSI funds against the $2,000 limit and warns before it becomes a problem.

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Requirements

• Python 3.9 or higher
• PyQt6 (installed automatically when you install the project)

No database, no server, no internet connection required.

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How to run

Clone the repository, install dependencies, and run from the repository root so the rules/ directory is found next to app.py:

git clone https://github.com/ibotzhub/benefits-calc-.git
cd benefits-calc-
pip install -r requirements.txt
python app.py

Or use the launcher:

chmod +x run.sh && ./run.sh

You can also install PyQt6 directly:

pip install PyQt6
python app.py

The pyproject.toml file lists the same dependency for packaging tools; there is no separate server or database to start. The app opens as a desktop window (no browser).

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How to use

Home screen

Six program cards. Click whichever program you need. You can run as many calculators as you want in one session -- each has its own inputs and results.

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SSI

1. Pick your state. Nevada is the default.
2. Enter gross work income and gross other income.
   • Gross means before taxes. Not take-home. Check a pay stub for "Gross Pay."
3. Check any boxes that apply: legally blind, student under 22, couple.
4. If you pay disability-related work costs (transit, equipment, attendant), enter those as IRWE. They reduce countable earnings dollar for dollar.
5. Click Calculate.

Results show:

• Your estimated monthly benefit
• Whether your state automatically enrolls SSI recipients in Medicaid
• Every deduction step with a plain-English explanation
• A work incentive table showing total income (benefit + earnings)

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SSDI

1. Enter your monthly benefit from your award letter. Leave at $0 to use the 2026 national average ($1,630).
2. Enter gross monthly earnings if working.
3. Enter IRWE if applicable.
4. Enter how many Trial Work Period months you have already used (0-9).
5. Check the EPE box if your TWP is complete.
6. Click Calculate.

Results show:

• Current benefit status (full, TWP, suspended, EPE)
• SGA comparison for 2026
• TWP months remaining
• What to expect when the TWP ends
• A flag if your SSDI is low enough that SSI might also apply

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SNAP

1. Pick state and household size.
2. Enter gross earned and unearned income.
3. Enter monthly housing costs (rent + utilities). This has a large effect.
4. Enter medical costs if anyone in the household is 60+ or has a disability.
5. Enter childcare costs if applicable.
6. Click Calculate.

Results show the full deduction chain: 20% earned income deduction, standard deduction, shelter deduction, net income, and final benefit.

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TANF

1. Pick state, household size, and number of dependent children.
2. Enter gross income.
3. Note any drug felony convictions (affects eligibility in some states).
4. Click Calculate.

Results show your state's maximum benefit, what percentage of the poverty line that is, and a rough estimate for your household. Amounts range from $204/month (Arkansas) to $1,370/month (Minnesota).

Important: TANF has a 60-month federal lifetime limit. The app reminds you of this and notes work requirements.

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Medicaid

1. Pick state, household size, age, and income.
2. Check all that apply: disability, SSI recipient, children, pregnant, long-term care.
3. If elderly or disabled, enter countable assets. Most expansion-state adults skip this.
4. Click Calculate.

The app determines which Medicaid category applies:

• SSI automatic enrollment (1634 states)
• 209B states -- SSI does not guarantee Medicaid, apply separately
• ACA expansion -- 138% FPL, no asset test
• Non-MAGI aged/blind/disabled -- asset test applies
• Long-term care -- $2,982 cap, Miller Trust information
• Non-expansion state -- coverage gap explanation

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Representative Payee

1. Enter the monthly benefit received and the current conserved funds balance.
2. Enter spending for the month by category (housing, food, medical, etc.).
3. Enter how much was saved this month.
4. Check the SSI box if the benefit includes SSI (triggers resource limit tracking).
5. Click Review.

Results show a full monthly account summary, spending breakdown, conserved balance vs. the $2,000 SSI limit, and a reminder about allowed vs. not-allowed spending. Useful for preparing the SSA annual report (Form SSA-6233).

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Project structure

benefits-calc-/
  app.py                     Main application and all UI screens
  ui_kit.py                  Shared UI components (colors, widgets, layouts)
  requirements.txt           Python dependencies
  pyproject.toml             Project metadata and dependencies
  run.sh                     Launcher (runs app.py)

  calculators/
    ssi.py                   SSI calculation engine (2026 federal rules)
    ssdi.py                  SSDI engine + Representative Payee tools
    snap.py                  SNAP calculation engine (FY2026)
    tanf_medicaid.py         TANF and Medicaid eligibility engines

  rules/
    federal/
      ssi.json               SSI federal figures
      ssdi.json              SSDI SGA, TWP thresholds
      snap.json              SNAP max allotments, deductions
      medicaid.json          Medicaid expansion data, FPL
      housing.json           Housing program data
      programs_index.json    Index of all programs

    states/
      NV/programs.json       Nevada rules: SSI supplement, SNAP BBCE, Medicaid link
      TX/programs.json       Texas rules
      CA/programs.json       California rules
      ... (all 50 states + DC)

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Keeping figures current

These numbers need updating annually:

Program	What changes	When	Source
SSI	FBR, SEIE, SGA	January	ssa.gov/cola
SSDI	SGA, TWP threshold	January	ssa.gov/redbook
SNAP	Max allotments, deductions	October 1	fns.usda.gov
Medicaid FPL	Expansion income limits	Spring	hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines
TANF state amounts	Varies by state	Annually	nccp.org/50-state-data
SSI state supplements	Varies	Quarterly check	ssa.gov/ssi/text-benefits-ussi

Update the JSON files in rules/federal/ and the constants at the top of each calculator module when figures change.

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Data sources

• SSI and SSDI: SSA Red Book 2026 (ssa.gov/redbook/newfor2026.htm)
• SNAP: USDA FNS FY2026 (fns.usda.gov/snap/cost-of-living-adjustments)
• TANF: NCCP 50-State Comparison 2024 (nccp.org)
• Medicaid: KFF State Health Facts, SSA 1634/209B state lists
• FPL: HHS 2025 Poverty Guidelines (used until 2026 figures are published, standard practice)

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Disclaimer

This tool provides estimates for educational purposes. It is not legal advice and does not replace verification with SSA, your state Medicaid agency, or a qualified benefits counselor. Always confirm benefit amounts with official sources before making financial decisions.

• SSI and SSDI: call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or visit ssa.gov
• SNAP: contact your local SNAP office or call 1-800-221-5689
• Medicaid: contact your state Medicaid agency or visit healthcare.gov
• TANF: contact your county Department of Social Services

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Built with

• Python 3.9+
• PyQt6
• JSON rules database (no SQL, no external dependencies)
• Fully offline -- no API calls, no network required