Food Assistance · FY2027
Iowa Food Stamp Calculator
Iowa Health and Human Services runs SNAP as Food Assistance. Iowa sets its broad-based gross limit at 160% of poverty, a level no other state uses: $2,128 for one person and $4,400 for four, with no asset test. A four-person household can get up to $1,023.
Your estimate
Iowa · 1 person.
- Likely eligible
- Figures verified October 5, 2026
The broadest restriction — on hold
Iowa asked for the most sweeping food restriction of any state: barring every item taxable under Iowa Department of Revenue rules, except food-producing plants and seeds. USDA approved it, but the federal court’s June 22, 2026 order in Aragon v. Rollins vacated the approval, and Iowa told retailers to stop implementation. For now your Iowa card buys what SNAP normally covers.
Running numbers in Iowa
The 160% limit is computed here with USDA’s rounding method from the 2026 poverty guidelines; Iowa’s own chart may differ by a dollar. Utility allowances shown — $554 for heat or cooling, $292 basic — are USDA’s October 2025 figures.
Iowa had a 5.34% payment error rate in FY2025, low enough that the 2025 law would require a 0% state share. People with past drug felonies are not disqualified. Benefits arrive in the first ten days of the month by the first letter of your last name, and Iowa uses a standard medical deduction for older and disabled members.
By household size
| People | Max | Gross limit | Senior† |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $306 | $2,128 | $181 |
| 2 | $562 | $2,886 | $223 |
| 3 | $808 | $3,643 | $257 |
| 4 | $1,023 | $4,400 | $266 |
| 5 | $1,217 | $5,158 | $330 |
| 6 | $1,463 | $5,915 | $446 |
| Pay‡ | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 | $2,500 | $3,000 | $3,500 | $4,000 | $4,500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IA | $808 | $743 | $621 | $441 | $261 | $81 | — | — |
† 60+ or disabled, income at the poverty line, $700 rent. ‡ Family of 3, $900 rent. How these are worked out.
Utility allowances
| Type | Oct 2025* |
|---|---|
| Heating & cooling allowance | $554 |
| Basic utility allowance | $292 |
| Phone allowance | $36 |
Where to apply
| Apply | hhsservices.iowa.gov |
|---|---|
| Program | Food Assistance |
| Card | Iowa EBT Card |
| Phone | 877-347-5678 |
| Offices | hhs.iowa.gov |
| Deposits | 1st–10th, by the first letter of the last name |
Next door
Sources
FY2027 COLA memo · BBCE chart · FY2026 SUA table · food restriction waivers · FY2025 error rates · State Options Report · issuance schedule · USDA directory · all sources
* not yet verified for Oct 2026.