Monthly Income Limits for Food Stamps by Household Size

For fiscal year 2026, the monthly income limits for food stamps by household size start at $1,696 in gross income for one person and rise by $596 for each additional household member, reaching $3,483 for a family of four. Those are the federal gross-income ceilings, set at 130 percent of the Federal Poverty Level and effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Whether your household actually qualifies depends on which income test applies to you, what deductions you can claim, and whether your state has raised the limit above the federal floor.

FY2026 Monthly Income Limits by Household Size

Two numbers matter for each household size: the gross limit (130 percent of poverty) and the net limit (100 percent of poverty). Both figures apply to the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C.

1 person: $1,696 gross / $1,305 net
2 people: $2,292 gross / $1,763 net
3 people: $2,888 gross / $2,221 net
4 people: $3,483 gross / $2,680 net
5 people: $4,079 gross / $3,138 net
6 people: $4,675 gross / $3,596 net
7 people: $5,271 gross / $4,055 net
8 people: $5,867 gross / $4,513 net
Each additional person: add $596 gross / $459 net

These are federal floors. Most states have raised their gross limits higher through a policy called Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility, covered further down.¹

Gross Income Test vs. Net Income Test

Most households have to pass both tests. Gross income is everything you receive before taxes or paycheck deductions. If your gross income exceeds 130 percent of the poverty level for your household size, you’re screened out at the first step.²

If you pass the gross test, the program subtracts allowable deductions from that number to reach your net income, which must fall at or below 100 percent of poverty. This second test exists because two households with identical paychecks can have very different financial realities once rent, medical bills, and child care are counted. That’s why the deductions below often decide close cases.²

The Elderly and Disabled Exception

If anyone in your household is 60 or older or has a qualifying disability, you skip the gross income test entirely. Only the net income limit applies. This matters because a household with high shelter or medical costs can qualify even when gross earnings are well above 130 percent of poverty.¹

These households also get to deduct medical expenses over $35 per month, which other households can’t deduct at all. Eligible costs include prescriptions, doctor visits, medical equipment, and certain medical transportation.²

What Counts as Income

SNAP counts nearly all money coming into the household, split into two categories.

Earned income is wages, salary, tips, commissions, bonuses, and net self-employment earnings. It qualifies for a 20 percent deduction, so the program effectively counts 80 cents of every dollar earned from work.

Unearned income is Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, veterans’ disability, unemployment, child support received, pensions, and similar payments. Every dollar counts at full value.²

Deductions That Lower Counted Income

The gap between gross and net income is where borderline households either qualify or don’t. Stacking the available deductions can reduce your counted income by hundreds of dollars.

Standard Deduction

Every household gets a flat deduction regardless of expenses. In the 48 contiguous states for FY2026:

1–3 people: $209 per month
4 people: $223 per month
5 people: $261 per month
6 or more people: $299 per month

Earned Income Deduction

If anyone in the household works, 20 percent of gross earned income comes off automatically. A worker earning $2,000 per month gets a $400 deduction on top of the standard.²

Dependent Care Deduction

Out-of-pocket costs for child care or care of an incapacitated adult, when needed so a household member can work, look for work, or attend training, are deductible. There is no federal cap.

Shelter Deduction

If rent or mortgage, property taxes, insurance, and utilities together exceed half your income after other deductions, you can deduct the excess. For most households, this deduction is capped at $744 per month in FY2026. Households with an elderly or disabled member face no cap, which can be significant for someone on a fixed income paying high rent.³

Utility costs are usually calculated through a state Standard Utility Allowance rather than itemized bills. If you pay any heating or cooling costs, your state assigns a fixed monthly figure (often $500 or more) that folds into the shelter calculation, generally more generous than actual bills.

Medical Deduction (Elderly and Disabled Only)

Households with a member 60 or older, or with a disability, can deduct medical expenses above $35 per month. No other households can claim this.²

Your State’s Limit May Be Higher

As of August 2025, 46 states use Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility to raise the gross income limit above the federal 130 percent baseline. Under BBCE, states can set the gross threshold as high as 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. For a household of four, that would mean qualifying with gross income up to roughly $5,360 per month instead of $3,483. BBCE states also typically waive the asset test.⁴

The exact limit varies by state, and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 may affect BBCE availability going forward. Check with your state SNAP office for the current gross income limit where you live before assuming the federal floor applies to you.

Who Counts as Your Household

Which row of the table applies to you depends on how SNAP defines your household. The rule is people who live together and buy and prepare food together. Two roommates who split groceries and cook shared meals are one household. Two roommates who buy their own food and eat separately can apply separately.

Some people are grouped together no matter how they handle food. Married couples living in the same home are always one household. Children under 22 living with a parent are always included in the parent’s household, even if the child buys separate groceries.⁵

Getting this right matters two ways. Adding a member raises your income limit, but that person’s income also gets counted. An adult child earning steady wages can push the entire household over the threshold.

Resource Limits Still Apply in Some States

Aside from income, SNAP looks at countable resources such as cash and money in checking and savings. For FY2026, most households can have up to $3,000 in countable resources, rising to $4,500 if a member is 60 or older or disabled. Most vehicles don’t count. In BBCE states the asset test is generally waived entirely.⁵

Running the Numbers for Your Household

Start with your gross monthly income and compare it to the gross limit in the table for your household size. If you’re under, keep going. If you’re over but someone in the home is 60 or older or disabled, skip to the net calculation. If you’re over and no one qualifies for that exception, check whether your state has a higher BBCE limit before assuming you don’t qualify.

To estimate net income, subtract the standard deduction for your household size, then 20 percent of any earned income, then dependent care costs you pay, then any allowable medical expenses over $35 for elderly or disabled members. Add up rent or mortgage, property taxes, insurance, and the state’s utility allowance; if that total is more than half of what’s left, subtract the excess (capped at $744 unless an elderly or disabled member is in the household). Compare the final figure to the net limit for your household size.

If both numbers land at or below the limits that apply to you, you’re likely eligible. The next step is applying through your state’s Department of Human Services or Social Services, in person, by mail, or online. Federal rules require eligible households to receive benefits within 30 days, or within seven days for expedited cases where gross monthly income is under $150 and liquid resources are under $100.⁶⁵

1
Food and Nutrition Service. SNAP Special Rules for the Elderly or Disabled
2
eCFR. 7 CFR 273.9 – Income and Deductions
3
Food and Nutrition Service. SNAP FY2026 Maximum Allotments and Deductions
4
Food and Nutrition Service. Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE)
5
Food and Nutrition Service. SNAP Eligibility
6
Food and Nutrition Service. SNAP Application Processing Timeliness