SNAP income limits 2026–27
These are the SNAP income limits USDA set for October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, based on the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines.[1][7] Gross income is everything before taxes and deductions; net income is what is left after the SNAP deductions. The 165% and 200% columns are the gross limits used for elderly or disabled people who buy food separately and in the many states with broad-based categorical eligibility.[1][8]
| Household size | Gross (130%) | Net (100%) | Gross (165%) | Gross (200%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,729 | $1,330 | $2,195 | $2,660 |
| 2 | $2,345 | $1,804 | $2,976 | $3,607 |
| 3 | $2,960 | $2,277 | $3,757 | $4,554 |
| 4 | $3,575 | $2,750 | $4,538 | $5,500 |
| 5 | $4,191 | $3,224 | $5,319 | $6,447 |
| 6 | $4,806 | $3,697 | $6,100 | $7,394 |
| 7 | $5,421 | $4,170 | $6,881 | $8,340 |
| 8 | $6,037 | $4,644 | $7,662 | $9,287 |
| Each extra person | +$616 | +$474 | +$781 | +$947 |
The limits went up about 2% from the year before, when they were $1,696 gross and $1,305 net for one person.[2]
Gross income test and net income test
A household normally has to pass both tests: gross income at or below 130% of poverty, and net income at or below 100%.[5] Two big exceptions change who actually has to meet them:
- Someone 60 or older or disabled. The household skips the gross income test and only has to meet the net income test (and an asset limit of $4,750).[5][1]
- Broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE). In 46 states and territories, households that get a TANF-funded service or referral are categorically eligible. They only have to be under the state’s gross limit, which can be 130%, 150%, 160%, 165%, 185% or 200%, and in most of those states there is no asset test and no net income test.[3]
Passing the income tests does not guarantee a benefit. A household of three or more whose 30% of net income is larger than its maximum allotment gets nothing, while eligible one- and two-person households always get at least the minimum of $25.[5][1]
SNAP income limits by state
The gross limit below is the one that applies to a typical working household in each state as of USDA’s November 12, 2026 chart.[3] Net income limits are the federal 100% figures everywhere, but they only apply where a household is not categorically eligible. Rows with an asterisk have different limits for some households (for example, elderly or disabled members in Arkansas, or households with child care costs in New York); state pages explain them.
Download this table as a CSV file with net limits, maximum benefits, utility allowances, standard medical deductions and each agency’s portal for every state (free to reuse with a link back).
| State | Program name | Gross limit | 1 person | 4 people | Asset limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | SNAP | 130% | $1,729 | $3,575 | None |
| Alaska | SNAP | 200% | $3,325 | $6,875 | None |
| Arizona | Nutrition Assistance | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| Arkansas | SNAP | 130%* | $1,729 | $3,575 | $5,500 |
| California | CalFresh | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| Colorado | SNAP | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| Connecticut | SNAP | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| Delaware | Food Supplement Program | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| District of Columbia | SNAP | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| Florida | SNAP (food assistance) | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| Georgia | SNAP | 130% | $1,729 | $3,575 | None |
| Guam | SNAP | 165% | $2,195 | $4,538 | None |
| Hawaii | SNAP | 200% | $3,060 | $6,325 | None |
| Idaho | Food Stamps | 130% | $1,729 | $3,575 | $3,000 / $4,750 |
| Illinois | SNAP | 165% | $2,195 | $4,538 | None |
| Indiana | SNAP | 130% | $1,729 | $3,575 | $3,000 / $4,750 |
| Iowa | Food Assistance | 160% | $2,128 | $4,400 | None |
| Kansas | Food Assistance | 130% | $1,729 | $3,575 | $3,000 / $4,750 |
| Kentucky | SNAP | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| Louisiana | SNAP | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | $3,000 / $4,750 |
| Maine | Food Supplement | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| Maryland | Food Supplement Program | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| Massachusetts | SNAP | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| Michigan | Food Assistance Program | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| Minnesota | SNAP | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| Mississippi | SNAP | 130% | $1,729 | $3,575 | $3,000 / $4,750 |
| Missouri | Food Stamps (SNAP) | 130% | $1,729 | $3,575 | $3,000 / $4,750 |
| Montana | SNAP | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| Nebraska | SNAP | 165% | $2,195 | $4,538 | $25,000 |
| Nevada | SNAP | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| New Hampshire | Food Stamp Program | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| New Jersey | NJ SNAP | 185% | $2,461 | $5,088 | None |
| New Mexico | SNAP | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| New York | SNAP | 150%* | $1,995 | $4,125 | None |
| North Carolina | Food and Nutrition Services | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| North Dakota | SNAP | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| Ohio | SNAP | 130% | $1,729 | $3,575 | None |
| Oklahoma | SNAP | 130% | $1,729 | $3,575 | None |
| Oregon | SNAP | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| Pennsylvania | SNAP | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| Rhode Island | SNAP | 185% | $2,461 | $5,088 | None |
| South Carolina | SNAP | 130% | $1,729 | $3,575 | None |
| South Dakota | SNAP | 130% | $1,729 | $3,575 | $3,000 / $4,750 |
| Tennessee | SNAP | 130% | $1,729 | $3,575 | $3,000 / $4,750 |
| Texas | SNAP | 165% | $2,195 | $4,538 | $5,000 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | SNAP | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| Utah | SNAP | 130% | $1,729 | $3,575 | $3,000 / $4,750 |
| Vermont | 3SquaresVT | 185% | $2,461 | $5,088 | None |
| Virginia | SNAP | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| Washington | Basic Food | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| West Virginia | SNAP | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| Wisconsin | FoodShare | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 | None |
| Wyoming | SNAP | 130% | $1,729 | $3,575 | $3,000 / $4,750 |
Alaska and Hawaii have their own, higher poverty guidelines, so the same percentage gives a larger dollar limit there. Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands use the 48-state guidelines.[1]
Alaska and Hawaii SNAP income limits
| Household size | Gross (130%) | Net (100%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,162 | $1,663 |
| 2 | $2,931 | $2,255 |
| 3 | $3,700 | $2,846 |
| 4 | $4,469 | $3,438 |
| 5 | $5,238 | $4,030 |
| 6 | $6,008 | $4,621 |
| 7 | $6,777 | $5,213 |
| 8 | $7,546 | $5,805 |
| Each extra person | +$770 | +$592 |
| Household size | Gross (130%) | Net (100%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,989 | $1,530 |
| 2 | $2,697 | $2,075 |
| 3 | $3,404 | $2,619 |
| 4 | $4,112 | $3,163 |
| 5 | $4,819 | $3,707 |
| 6 | $5,527 | $4,251 |
| 7 | $6,234 | $4,795 |
| 8 | $6,941 | $5,340 |
| Each extra person | +$708 | +$545 |
Last year’s limits (October 2025 – September 2026)
If you are checking a decision made before October 1, 2026, the earlier limits applied.[2]
| Household size | Gross (130%) | Net (100%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,696 | $1,305 |
| 2 | $2,292 | $1,763 |
| 3 | $2,888 | $2,221 |
| 4 | $3,483 | $2,680 |
| 5 | $4,079 | $3,138 |
| 6 | $4,675 | $3,596 |
| 7 | $5,271 | $4,055 |
| 8 | $5,867 | $4,513 |
| Each extra person | +$596 | +$459 |
What counts as income for SNAP
Countable income is almost all cash coming into the household: wages before taxes, self-employment profit, Social Security, SSI, unemployment, child support you receive, pensions and similar payments.[4] Some money does not count, including most student aid used for tuition, loans, reimbursements for costs, money from other federal programs that law excludes, and the earnings of children under 18 who are in school.[4]
The deductions that turn gross into net income are the standard deduction ($217 for one to three people), 20% of earnings, dependent care, legally owed child support you pay, medical costs over $35 for elderly or disabled members, and excess shelter costs.[4][1] The SNAP calculator applies them for you; see the requirements to be on food stamps for the non-income rules.
Asset limits
Where the asset test still applies, a household can have up to $3,000 in countable resources, or $4,750 if a member is 60 or older or disabled.[1][6] Your home, retirement accounts and most vehicles (depending on the state) do not count. Most states have dropped the asset test for most households through broad-based categorical eligibility.[3]
Other income limits that use the same household
Other programs set their own limits, so a household that is over the SNAP limit may still qualify for help with health care or energy bills:
- Medicaid uses percentages of the poverty line that depend on age, pregnancy and whether the state expanded coverage: see Ohio Medicaid income limits, Florida Medicaid income limits, Medi-Cal eligibility income limits, the OHP income limits for 2026 in Oregon and Medicaid income limits in SC.
- Energy assistance can go up to 60% of state median income: see LIHEAP income limits by state.
- Bankruptcy uses state median family income, far above benefit limits: see Chapter 7 bankruptcy income limits.
Frequently asked questions
What is the income limit for food stamps for a family of 4?
$3,575 a month gross and $2,750 net in the 48 states and DC from October 1, 2026. In states using 200% of poverty, the gross limit is $5,500.
Is the SNAP income limit based on gross or net income?
Both, for most households: gross income must be at or below 130% of poverty (or the state’s higher limit) and net income at or below 100%. Elderly or disabled households only face the net test.
What are the SNAP income limits for 2026?
Until September 30, 2026: $1,696 gross and $1,305 net for one person. From October 1, 2026: $1,729 and $1,330.
Which states have the highest food stamp income limit?
States using 200% of poverty, including California, Florida, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington and Massachusetts, have the highest gross limits in the 48 states. Alaska and Hawaii are higher in dollars because their poverty guidelines are higher.
Sources
- SNAP – Fiscal Year 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (memo to all state agencies, with tables)
- SNAP – Fiscal Year 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (memo to all state agencies, with tables)
- Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) state chart
- 7 CFR 273.9, Income and deductions
- 7 CFR 273.10, Determining household eligibility and benefit levels
- 7 CFR 273.8, Resource eligibility standards
- 2026 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 contiguous states, Alaska and Hawaii
- Transmittal OEP-PT-26-033: FFY 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) Standards for SNAP