Maximum monthly SNAP benefits (48 states and D.C.)
| Household size | Maximum monthly benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $298 |
| 2 | $546 |
| 3 | $785 |
| 4 | $994 |
| 5 | $1,183 |
| 6 | $1,421 |
| 7 | $1,571 |
| 8 | $1,789 |
For each additional person above eight, add $218 per month.
How your actual benefit is calculated
SNAP expects households to spend about 30% of their own net income on food. Your monthly benefit is the maximum allotment for your household size minus 30% of your net income:
Monthly benefit = maximum allotment − (net income × 0.30)
A household of 4 with $1,000 in net monthly income would receive about $694 — the $994 maximum minus $300. A household with zero net income receives the full maximum. Use the SNAP calculator to run your own numbers, including the deductions that reduce your net income.
The minimum SNAP benefit
Eligible households of 1 or 2 people receive at least $24 per month in the 48 states and D.C., even when the formula produces a smaller amount. The minimum is higher in Alaska (up to $48 in the most rural areas), Hawaii ($41), Guam ($35), and the U.S. Virgin Islands ($31).
Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands
Food costs differ substantially outside the contiguous states, so USDA sets separate maximums. Alaska is split into urban and two rural zones:
| Size | Alaska urban | Alaska rural I | Alaska rural II | Hawaii | Guam | U.S. Virgin Islands |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $385 | $491 | $598 | $506 | $439 | $383 |
| 2 | $707 | $901 | $1,097 | $929 | $806 | $703 |
| 3 | $1,015 | $1,295 | $1,576 | $1,334 | $1,157 | $1,009 |
| 4 | $1,285 | $1,639 | $1,995 | $1,689 | $1,465 | $1,278 |
| 5 | $1,529 | $1,950 | $2,374 | $2,010 | $1,743 | $1,521 |
| 6 | $1,838 | $2,344 | $2,853 | $2,415 | $2,095 | $1,827 |
| 7 | $2,031 | $2,590 | $3,152 | $2,668 | $2,315 | $2,019 |
| 8 | $2,314 | $2,950 | $3,591 | $3,040 | $2,637 | $2,300 |
Puerto Rico does not use SNAP: it operates the separate Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) under a block grant. Read more on our Puerto Rico NAP page.
Why these amounts change every October
USDA recalculates SNAP maximums each federal fiscal year through a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) based on the Thrifty Food Plan — the government's estimate of what a budget-conscious family of four needs to spend on groceries. When food prices rise, the June Thrifty Food Plan cost sets the maximums that take effect the following October 1. The FY 2026 amounts on this page took effect October 1, 2025 and remain valid through September 30, 2026; new FY 2027 amounts will be announced in late summer 2026.
Your first month is usually smaller — that's normal
SNAP prorates the first month from your application date. Apply on the 16th of a 30-day month and you receive roughly half of your monthly amount for that first month, then the full amount every month after. This is also why applying earlier in the month — or the day you realize you might qualify — matters: your start date locks in when you file, even if verification takes weeks.
What real benefit amounts look like
Because the formula subtracts 30% of net income, benefits scale smoothly rather than cutting off at a cliff. For a household of 4 in the 48 states:
- Net income $0 → the full $994 maximum
- Net income $500 → $994 − $150 = $844
- Net income $1,500 → $994 − $450 = $544
- Net income $2,500 → $994 − $750 = $244
Households of 1–2 people bottom out at the $24 minimum instead of falling below it. Remember these are net figures — a family grossing $3,000 might have net income near $1,500 after the deductions, which is exactly why the calculator asks about rent, child care, and the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum SNAP benefit for a family of 4 in 2026?
In the 48 contiguous states and D.C., the FY 2026 maximum is $994 per month for a household of 4. It is higher in Alaska (up to $1,995 in the most rural zone), Hawaii ($1,689), Guam ($1,465), and the U.S. Virgin Islands ($1,278).
What is the maximum SNAP benefit for one person in 2026?
A one-person household can receive up to $298 per month in the 48 states and D.C. in FY 2026. The one-person maximum is higher in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Why did I get less than the maximum?
SNAP subtracts 30% of your net income from the maximum allotment. The more countable net income your household has after deductions, the smaller your benefit. Only households with zero net income receive the full maximum.
What is the smallest SNAP payment?
The FY 2026 minimum benefit for eligible 1- and 2-person households is $24 per month in the 48 states and D.C. Larger households have no minimum — their calculated amount can phase out to zero.
- 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.