SNAP Income Limits and Maximum Benefits: October 2025 – September 2026

SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps) gives monthly benefits on an EBT card to buy food. These are the official income limits and maximum benefits for October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026. The U.S. Department of Agriculture updates these numbers every October 1.

Gross Income Limits

Most households must have gross income (before taxes and deductions) at or below their limit. Gross income limits are set at 130% of the poverty level.

If your household has someone who is 60 or older or has a disability, you only need to meet the net income limit below—you can skip the gross income test.

Monthly Gross Income Limits by Household Size

• 1 person: $1,696 (48 states & DC), $2,118 (Alaska), $1,949 (Hawaii)
• 2 people: $2,292 (48 states & DC), $2,864 (Alaska), $2,635 (Hawaii)
• 3 people: $2,888 (48 states & DC), $3,609 (Alaska), $3,321 (Hawaii)
• 4 people: $3,483 (48 states & DC), $4,354 (Alaska), $4,007 (Hawaii)
• 5 people: $4,079 (48 states & DC), $5,100 (Alaska), $4,692 (Hawaii)
• 6 people: $4,675 (48 states & DC), $5,845 (Alaska), $5,378 (Hawaii)
• 7 people: $5,271 (48 states & DC), $6,590 (Alaska), $6,064 (Hawaii)
• 8 people: $5,867 (48 states & DC), $7,336 (Alaska), $6,750 (Hawaii)

Net Income Limits

Every household must have net income (income after SNAP deductions) at or below its limit. Net income limits are set at 100% of the poverty level.

Monthly Net Income Limits by Household Size

• 1 person: $1,305 (48 states & DC), $1,630 (Alaska), $1,500 (Hawaii)
• 2 people: $1,763 (48 states & DC), $2,203 (Alaska), $2,027 (Hawaii)
• 3 people: $2,221 (48 states & DC), $2,776 (Alaska), $2,555 (Hawaii)
• 4 people: $2,680 (48 states & DC), $3,350 (Alaska), $3,082 (Hawaii)
• 5 people: $3,138 (48 states & DC), $3,923 (Alaska), $3,610 (Hawaii)
• 6 people: $3,596 (48 states & DC), $4,496 (Alaska), $4,137 (Hawaii)
• 7 people: $4,055 (48 states & DC), $5,070 (Alaska), $4,665 (Hawaii)
• 8 people: $4,513 (48 states & DC), $5,643 (Alaska), $5,192 (Hawaii)

Maximum Monthly Benefits

Your benefit amount depends on your household size and net income. The maximum benefit is the starting point—your actual benefit will be lower based on how much income you have.

Maximum Monthly Benefits by Household Size

• 1 person: $298 (48 states & DC), $385 (Alaska urban), $506 (Hawaii)
• 2 people: $546 (48 states & DC), $707 (Alaska urban), $929 (Hawaii)
• 3 people: $785 (48 states & DC), $1,015 (Alaska urban), $1,334 (Hawaii)
• 4 people: $994 (48 states & DC), $1,285 (Alaska urban), $1,689 (Hawaii)
• 5 people: $1,183 (48 states & DC), $1,529 (Alaska urban), $2,010 (Hawaii)
• 6 people: $1,421 (48 states & DC), $1,838 (Alaska urban), $2,415 (Hawaii)
• 7 people: $1,571 (48 states & DC), $2,031 (Alaska urban), $2,668 (Hawaii)
• 8 people: $1,789 (48 states & DC), $2,314 (Alaska urban), $3,040 (Hawaii)
• Each additional person: +$218 (48 states & DC), +$282 (Alaska urban), +$371 (Hawaii)

Rural parts of Alaska have higher maximums than urban areas. The minimum benefit for households of 1 or 2 people is $24 a month in the 48 states and DC.

How SNAP Calculates Your Benefit

SNAP expects a household to spend about 30% of its net income on food. Your benefit amount is your household's maximum benefit minus 30% of your net income.

Example: A family of 3 in the 48 states with net income of $700 a month would get: $785 − ($700 × 30% = $210) = $575 a month.

To estimate your benefit with your own numbers, try our SNAP calculator.

Deductions That Lower Your Income

The deductions below are subtracted from your gross income to find your net income. A lower net income means a higher benefit.

Standard Deduction (48 states and DC)

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

Other Deductions

• Earned income deduction: 20% of what you earn from work
• Excess shelter deduction: Housing costs above half of your income, capped at $744 a month in the 48 states and DC ($1,189 in Alaska, $1,003 in Hawaii). The cap is removed if someone in your household is 60 or older or has a disability.
• Homeless shelter deduction: $198.99 a month
• Dependent care: Costs for childcare or adult care
• Child support: Legally owed child support you pay
• Medical costs: Costs over $35 a month for household members who are 60 or older or have a disability

Asset Limits

The federal asset limit is $3,000. If someone in your household is 60 or older or has a disability, the limit is $4,500.

Many states use "broad-based categorical eligibility," which can raise the gross income limit and remove the asset test. Check your state's SNAP page to see if your state uses this policy.

When These Limits Take Effect

These figures are in effect from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026. We will update this page when USDA publishes the figures for October 2026 – September 2027.