SNAP income limits by household size (48 states and D.C.)
These are the FY 2026 monthly limits, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026, for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. The gross limit is 130% of the federal poverty guideline and the net limit is 100%.
| Household size | Gross limit (130%) | Net limit (100%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,696 | $1,305 |
| 2 | $2,292 | $1,763 |
| 3 | $2,888 | $2,221 |
| 4 | $3,483 | $2,680 |
| 5 | $4,079 | $3,138 |
| 6 | $4,675 | $3,596 |
| 7 | $5,271 | $4,055 |
| 8 | $5,867 | $4,513 |
For each additional household member above eight, add $596 to the gross limit and $459 to the net limit.
Gross income vs. net income
Gross income is your household's total monthly income before taxes — wages, self-employment income, Social Security, unemployment, child support received, and most other money coming in.
Net income is what remains after SNAP deductions are subtracted: the 20% earned income deduction, the standard deduction, dependent care, court-ordered child support paid, excess medical expenses for elderly or disabled members, and the excess shelter deduction. Because of these deductions, many households whose gross income looks close to the limit still qualify. See our guide to SNAP deductions for how each one works.
Alaska and Hawaii limits
Alaska and Hawaii have higher poverty guidelines, so their SNAP income limits are higher:
| Household size | Alaska gross | Alaska net | Hawaii gross | Hawaii net |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,118 | $1,630 | $1,949 | $1,500 |
| 2 | $2,864 | $2,203 | $2,635 | $2,027 |
| 3 | $3,609 | $2,776 | $3,321 | $2,555 |
| 4 | $4,354 | $3,350 | $4,007 | $3,082 |
| 5 | $5,100 | $3,923 | $4,692 | $3,610 |
| 6 | $5,845 | $4,496 | $5,378 | $4,137 |
| 7 | $6,590 | $5,070 | $6,064 | $4,665 |
| 8 | $7,336 | $5,643 | $6,750 | $5,192 |
State BBCE rules can raise the gross limit up to 200%
Most states use broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) to raise the gross income screen above the federal 130% — often to 200% of the poverty guideline — and to drop the asset test. That means the state where you live can decide whether your income "fits" under SNAP rules. A household earning too much for SNAP in Georgia (130%) could pass the gross screen in California or Pennsylvania (200%).
| Gross income screen | States |
|---|---|
| 200% | Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin |
| 185% | Arizona, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont |
| 175% | U.S. Virgin Islands |
| 165% | Illinois, Nebraska, Texas, Guam |
| 160% | Iowa |
| 130% | Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina |
| 130% (no BBCE — federal rules) | Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Wyoming |
| Varies by household | Arkansas, New York |
The net income test still applies in every state. Use your state SNAP calculator to screen your income against your state's actual rules.
Households with elderly or disabled members
If someone in your household is age 60 or older or receives disability benefits, special rules apply:
- No gross income test. Only the net income test applies.
- Uncapped shelter deduction. The excess shelter deduction is not limited by the $744 cap.
- Medical expense deduction. Unreimbursed medical costs above $35 per month can be deducted.
- Higher resource limit. Where an asset test applies, the limit is $4,500 instead of $3,000.
What income is counted?
Most cash income counts — wages before taxes, self-employment profit, Social Security and SSI, unemployment insurance, pensions, and child support you receive. Some income does not count, such as most federal tax credits and SNAP benefits themselves. Our guide on what counts as income for SNAP covers the details, including irregular income and household members who are not applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SNAP income limit for a family of 3 in 2026?
In the 48 states and D.C., the FY 2026 gross monthly income limit for a household of 3 is $2,888 (130% of the poverty guideline) and the net limit is $2,221. Many states use BBCE to raise the gross screen as high as $4,442 (200%).
Is SNAP eligibility based on gross or net income?
Both. Most households must have gross income at or below 130% of the poverty line (or their state’s higher BBCE limit) and net income at or below 100% after deductions. Households with an elderly or disabled member skip the gross test.
Do all states use the same SNAP income limits?
The federal baseline is the same in the 48 contiguous states and D.C., but Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have different standards, and most states raise the gross screen above 130% through BBCE — commonly to 165%, 185%, or 200%.
When do these limits change?
USDA adjusts SNAP income limits, deductions, and allotments every federal fiscal year on October 1. The FY 2026 values on this page apply from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
- USDA FY 2026 SNAP COLA — limits, deductions, and allotments
- USDA SNAP Eligibility — federal eligibility rules
- USDA BBCE state options
Every figure is generated from our test-verified tables and re-checked at each annual USDA COLA. Last reviewed: August 10, 2026. Spot an error? Report it — corrections are prioritized.