Key takeaways
- SNAP, formerly called food stamps, helps low-income households buy groceries with a benefit card.
- For a household of one, the gross monthly income limit is $1,729, and most households must also pass a net income test.
- You apply through your state, not through the federal government.
- Rules for work requirements and some non-citizens changed under a 2025 law. Check your state agency for the rules that apply to you.
This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules differ by state. Use your state SNAP office for a decision about your own household.
What is SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food benefits to low-income households to help them afford groceries. It is run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and each state handles applications and benefits. People still often call it “food stamps,” but benefits are loaded onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which works like a debit card at approved stores.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility depends on household size, income, resources and, in some cases, work and immigration status. The figures below are the federal numbers for the 48 states and Washington, DC, effective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Virgin Islands have different figures.
Income limits and maximum benefits (48 states and DC)
| Household size | Gross monthly income limit (130% of poverty) | Net monthly income limit (100% of poverty) | Maximum monthly benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,729 | $1,330 | $306 |
| 2 | $2,345 | $1,804 | $562 |
| 3 | $2,960 | $2,277 | $808 |
| 4 | $3,575 | $2,750 | $1,023 |
| 5 | $4,191 | $3,224 | $1,217 |
| 6 | $4,806 | $3,697 | $1,463 |
| 7 | $5,421 | $4,170 | $1,616 |
| 8 | $6,037 | $4,644 | $1,841 |
| Each additional person | +$616 | +$474 | n/a |
Gross income is your household’s total income before deductions. Net income is what remains after allowed deductions, such as a standard deduction (for example $217 for households of one to three people), certain housing and child care costs, and medical costs for older or disabled members. Most households must pass both tests. Households with an older adult (60 or over) or a member with a disability generally only need to pass the net income test.
The maximum benefit is the most a household can get. Your actual amount is lower as your income rises. For households of one or two people there is a minimum monthly benefit of $25.
Resources
Most households can have up to $3,000 in countable resources such as cash or bank accounts, or $4,750 if a member is 60 or older or has a disability. Your home and lot, and most retirement and pension plans, aren’t counted. Vehicles may count in some cases. Some states set higher limits.
Citizenship and immigration status
SNAP is open to U.S. citizens and certain lawfully present non-citizens. Undocumented non-citizens aren’t eligible. USDA says the 2025 federal law changed some non-citizen rules, so ask your state agency or a legal aid group what applies to you.
Students
College students aged 18 through 49 who are enrolled at least half-time are generally not eligible, unless they meet an exemption.
Work rules
Most people aged 16 to 59 who can work must register for work, and may be asked to take part in an employment and training program. Adults without dependents have extra requirements, including working or training a set number of hours a month, or they may lose benefits after three months in a three-year period. A 2025 federal law changed these rules, including who counts as an adult without dependents. USDA’s pages note that it is still updating its guidance, so confirm the current rules and exemptions with your state SNAP office.
How to apply
- Find your state agency. SNAP applications go through the state where you live. USDA’s state directory links to each one.
- Apply online (in many states), by phone, by mail or in person. If you can’t go yourself, you can name an authorized representative in writing.
- Prepare documents: ID, proof of income, rent or mortgage, utility bills, and information about everyone in your household.
- Complete the interview, usually by phone.
- Wait for a decision. States generally decide within 30 days. If you have very little money and income, you may qualify for expedited benefits within 7 days.
How you use your benefits
Your state issues an EBT card. Each month your benefits are loaded onto it, and you swipe it at authorized stores and enter a PIN, like a debit card.
What SNAP covers
Food for your household: fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry and fish, dairy, bread and cereals, snack foods and non-alcoholic drinks. It also covers seeds and plants that grow food for your household.
What SNAP doesn’t cover
- Beer, wine and liquor; cigarettes and tobacco
- Food or drinks containing controlled substances such as cannabis or CBD
- Vitamins, medicines and supplements (anything with a Supplement Facts label)
- Foods that are hot at the point of sale
- Pet food, cleaning supplies, paper products, hygiene items and cosmetics
- Most live animals
Common questions
Do I need to be unemployed to get SNAP?
No. Many people who work receive SNAP. Eligibility is based on income and household size.
How long do benefits last?
You are approved for a set period. Your state will tell you when to renew, and you may need to report changes in income or household.
What if I’m denied?
You have the right to ask for a fair hearing. The denial notice explains how and by when.
Are the limits the same in every state?
The federal limits are shown above, but states can set some rules, and some use more generous income tests. Check your state’s rules.
Figures effective October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. This site is not affiliated with the USDA or any government agency.
Sources
- USDA, SNAP eligibility (updated October 1, 2026)
- USDA, SNAP FY 2027 cost-of-living adjustments, maximum allotments and income standards (updated October 2026)
- USDA, What Can SNAP Buy? (updated June 2025)
- USDA, SNAP Work Requirements (updated July 2026)
- USDA, SNAP State Directory of Resources
Money note: this article is for general information and is not financial advice.