SNAP Income Limits for 2026–27

SNAP income limits for October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027 are based on the 2026 federal poverty guidelines. Most states use a higher gross limit than the federal one, so check your state’s row before ruling yourself out.

Food Stamp Calc Editorial Team · published October 5, 2026 · verified October 5, 2026

Federal limits (48 states and DC)

Without a state broad-based rule, a household must pass both tests below. A household with someone 60 or older or disabled only needs to pass the net test.

* 165% is also the test for an elderly person who cannot buy and cook food separately to be treated as a separate household. 200% figures are twice the 100% standard, the method California, Florida and Pennsylvania publish; Illinois rounds from the annual guideline and lands $1 lower for some sizes.

Alaska and Hawaii

Both states use broad-based eligibility at 200% of their own poverty guidelines, so most households there face gross limits of $5,692 (Alaska) or $5,238 (Hawaii) for three people.

Broad-based limits by state

Broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) lets a state give households a small non-cash TANF benefit — often just a brochure or referral — which makes them “categorically eligible”. They then skip the net income test and, in most states, the asset test, and face the state’s gross limit instead of 130%. BBCE can only add eligibility: a household that fails it can still qualify under the federal rules. Count of states and DC by main gross limit: 130%: 8; 200%: 28; 165%: 3; 160%: 1; federal 130%: 7; 185%: 3; 150%/200% by type: 1.

160%, 185% and 150% dollar amounts are computed with FNS’s own method (annual 2026 poverty guideline × percentage ÷ 12, rounded up), which reproduces every figure in the FNS 100/130/165% tables. A state’s chart may differ by a dollar. Pennsylvania, California, Florida and Illinois amounts are copied from their own published charts.

Gross vs. net income

Gross income is everything before deductions. Net income is what is left after the 20% earnings deduction, the standard deduction, child care, child support paid, medical costs (60+ or disabled) and the shelter deduction. Passing the income limits only means you can get SNAP; the amount comes from the benefit formula. Near the top of a 200% limit the benefit is often small, and for households of three or more it can be zero.

Sources: USDA FNA FY2027 cost-of-living memo (August 21, 2026); FNS BBCE chart (June 2026); HHS 2026 poverty guidelines.