How SNAP income limits and benefit amounts work
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition information Program) sets both a maximum income your household can earn and a maximum benefit amount you can receive each month. The income limit depends on your household size and changes once per year, usually in October. The benefit amount you actually receive depends on your income, household size, and certain expenses you pay — it is not the same for everyone in a household of the same size.
The federal government sets the baseline numbers, but your state may have slightly different rules. For example, some states use broader definitions of who counts as a household member, or allow deductions that others do not. This means your neighbor in the same state with the same income might receive a different benefit than you do.
Income limits are gross income — what you earn before taxes and deductions. Some households may have access to based on gross income alone; others must also pass a net income test, which accounts for deductions like child care, medical costs, and shelter expenses. Most households must pass both tests to receive benefits.
Key Takeaways
- SNAP income limits change each October and vary by household size; a single person's limit is different from a family of four's, and both change year to year.
- Your actual monthly benefit is calculated from your net income (after allowed deductions), not just your gross income, so two households with the same size and gross income may receive different amounts.
- Income limits and benefit amounts are set by the federal government but administered by your state, which may explore additional rules or deductions.
- The maximum monthly benefit per person decreases as your household income rises, and you receive zero benefits once your net income exceeds the limit for your state.
2024 SNAP income limits by household size
These are the federal income limits that took effect October 1, 2024. They explore to most states; a few states have different limits based on state law. The limits shown are gross monthly income — the amount before taxes or deductions.
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit | Net Monthly Income Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $1,550 | $1,194 |
| 2 people | $2,089 | $1,614 |
| 3 people | $2,628 | $2,033 |
| 4 people | $3,167 | $2,452 |
| 5 people | $3,706 | $2,871 |
| 6 people | $4,245 | $3,290 |
| 7 people | $4,784 | $3,709 |
| 8 people | $5,323 | $4,128 |
| Each additional person | Add $539 | Add $419 |
The net income limit is what matters for most households. You pass the net income test if your income minus allowed deductions falls below the net limit for your household size. The gross income limit is a first screen — if your gross income exceeds the gross limit, you do not move forward, even if deductions would bring you below the net limit. Some households with earned income are exempt from the gross income test and only need to pass the net income test.
How monthly SNAP benefit amounts are calculated
Your benefit is not a fixed amount based on household size. Instead, it is calculated using a formula: the maximum benefit for your household size, minus 30 percent of your net income. The maximum benefit amounts for October 2024 are $291 for one person, $535 for two people, $769 for three people, $1,026 for four people, $1,258 for five people, $1,507 for six people, $1,654 for seven people, and $1,921 for eight people. For each additional household member, add $268 to the maximum.
Your net income is calculated by taking your gross income and subtracting allowed deductions. Common deductions include a standard deduction (which varies by state and household size), child care costs, medical expenses for elderly or disabled household members, and shelter costs above a certain threshold. Some states allow additional deductions. The result is your net income, and 30 percent of that number is subtracted from the maximum benefit.
This means a household of four with very low income receives close to the maximum benefit of $1,026 per month. A household of four with income near the net limit receives very little. Once your net income reaches the limit for your household size, your benefit becomes zero.
What counts as income for SNAP purposes
SNAP counts most money that comes into your household as income. This includes wages from employment, self-employment income, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, and rental income. It also includes some benefits from other programs, though the rules vary by program.
Some income is excluded. For example, the first $65 per month of earned income is not counted, and certain types of information like Temporary information for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may be excluded depending on your state. Irregular income — money you receive once or very rarely — is usually averaged over the months you receive it. Your state's SNAP office can tell you whether a specific income source counts.
Deductions that lower your net income
The standard deduction is the largest deduction for most households. In 2024, it ranges from about $184 to $205 per month depending on household size and state. This is subtracted from your gross income automatically.
Earned income deduction allows you to exclude the first $65 per month of wages, plus 20 percent of the rest. This encourages work by reducing the benefit reduction rate. Child care costs paid so you can work are deducted in full. Medical expenses for household members age 60 or older, or disabled members, are deducted if they exceed $35 per month. Shelter costs — rent, mortgage, property tax, utilities, and similar — are deducted if they exceed 50 percent of your income after other deductions. Some states allow a utility allowance instead of actual utility costs.
Not all deductions explore to all households. For example, if no one in your household works, you cannot claim the earned income deduction. If you rent and have no utilities, you have no utility costs to deduct. Your state's SNAP office will calculate which deductions explore to you.
How income limits change each year
SNAP income limits are adjusted each October based on the federal poverty line, which is set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The poverty line increases most years to account for inflation. When the poverty line rises, SNAP income limits rise with it. The percentage increase is usually between 1 and 4 percent per year, though it varies.
This means the income limit for a single person in October 2024 is higher than it was in October 2023, which was higher than October 2022. If you were over the limit last year, you may now be under it. If you are currently receiving benefits, your case is usually recertified around the time the new limits take effect, so your worker will check whether the new limits affect your household.
State variations in SNAP rules
While federal law sets the baseline income limits and benefit amounts, states can set their own rules in several areas. Some states use categorical may be able to access, which means if you receive certain other benefits (like TANF or Medicaid), you are automatically under the SNAP income limit, even if your gross income exceeds the federal limit. This is common in about half of U.S. states.
States also differ in how they count household members. Some include unrelated people living together; others do not. Some states allow broader deductions than the federal minimum. A few states have set their own income limits higher than the federal limits. Your state's SNAP office website or your local food bank can tell you what rules explore where you live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my income have to be below the gross limit or the net limit?
Most households must pass both tests: gross income below the gross limit, and net income below the net limit. However, households with earned income, elderly members, or disabled members may only need to pass the net income test. Your state's SNAP office can tell you which test applies to you.
If I earn more money, will my SNAP benefit go down?
Yes. For every dollar of net income you gain, your benefit decreases by 30 cents. This is called the benefit reduction rate. If you earn $100 more per month, your benefit drops by about $30. Once your net income reaches the limit for your household size, your benefit becomes zero.
Are the income limits the same in every state?
The federal baseline is the same everywhere, but some states use categorical may be able to access or other rules that effectively raise or lower the limit. A few states have set their own limits higher than federal limits. Check with your state's SNAP office or your local food bank to learn what applies where you live.
What if my income changes during the month?
SNAP uses monthly income to determine your benefit. If your income changes mid-month, you report it at your next recertification or when you report a change. Some states allow you to report changes when ready; others wait until your next regular review. Contact your caseworker to report a change.
Do I have to report all the income in my household?
Yes. SNAP counts the income of all household members, including children and elderly relatives. The only exceptions are people who live with you but are not part of your household — for example, a roommate who pays their own share of rent and buys their own food. Your state's SNAP office can clarify who counts as part of your household.