What Are SNAP Eligibility Requirements in 2025-2026?

Last Updated: November 15, 2025

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) helps low-income families buy food. To qualify in 2025-2026, you must meet income limits, resource tests, and work requirements.

New rules started November 1, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025. These changes affect work requirements and who can get benefits.

Quick Facts About SNAP 2025-2026:

• Income limit for 1 person: $1,696 per month (gross)
• Max benefit for 1 person: $298 per month
• New work requirement age: 18-65 years old (changed from 18-55)
• Resource limit: $3,000 for most households
• Elderly/disabled limit: $4,500 in resources allowed
• Application deadline: 30 days to provide documents

Need help? Check the official SNAP income limits by state or use a SNAP calculator to see if you qualify.

SNAP Income Limits 2026 (October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026)

These are the official USDA federal income limits that apply to most states. Your household must meet two income tests to qualify for SNAP benefits.

The two income tests:

1. Gross income test (130% of poverty line)
2. Net income test (100% of poverty line)

Note: Income limits vary by state, especially in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands. For complete state-specific income limits and local SNAP guidelines, visit our detailed SNAP income limits by state guide.

Income Chart for 48 States and DC:

Add for each extra person: $596 (gross) or $459 (net)

Important: Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands have higher limits due to food costs.

Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Service

Who Qualifies for SNAP Benefits?

Basic Eligibility Rules:

You must meet ALL these requirements:

• Live in the U.S. – Be a resident of the state where you apply
• Be a citizen or qualified non-citizen – Immigration status matters
• Have a Social Security Number – Required for all household members
• Meet income limits – Both gross and net income tests
• Pass asset test – $3,000 or less in resources
• Meet work requirements – If age 18-65 and able to work

Special Rules for Elderly and Disabled:

If anyone in your household is 60+ or disabled:

• No gross income limit applies
• Only net income test matters
• Higher resource limit: $4,500 allowed
• Can deduct medical expenses over $35/month

This makes it easier for seniors and disabled people to qualify.

SNAP Resource (Asset) Limits 2025-2026

Resources are things you own like bank accounts and vehicles.

What Counts as Resources:

• Bank account balances
• Cash on hand
• Stocks and bonds
• Some vehicles (see rules below)

What Does NOT Count:

• Your home and the land it sits on
• Household goods and personal belongings
• One vehicle per adult (any value)
• Retirement accounts (401k, IRA)
• Life insurance cash value
• Income-producing property

Vehicle Rules:

Vehicles that DON’T count:

• One vehicle per adult household member (no value limit)
• Any vehicle worth $1,500 or less in equity
• Vehicles used to transport disabled members
• Vehicles for work, school, or job training

Vehicles that DO count:

• Extra vehicles over $4,650 in fair market value
• The amount over $4,650 counts toward your resource limit

Example: You have a car worth $6,000. Only $1,350 counts ($6,000 – $4,650 = $1,350).

New SNAP Work Requirements (November 1, 2025)

Major changes started November 1, 2025 under federal law.

Who Must Work or Volunteer:

Adults age 18-65 without dependents under 14 must:

• Work at least 80 hours per month, OR
• Work at least 20 hours per week, OR
• Participate in a work training program

These are called ABAWD requirements (Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents).

What Changed in November 2025:

OLD RULES (before Nov 1, 2025):

• Age limit: 18-55 years old
• Protected if caring for child under 18
• Automatic exemptions for veterans, homeless, foster youth

NEW RULES (after Nov 1, 2025):

• Age limit: 18-65 years old (10 more years added)
• Only protected if caring for child under 14
• Veterans, homeless, and foster youth NO LONGER automatically exempt

Time Limits:

If you don’t meet work requirements:

• You can get SNAP for only 3 months in 36 months
• After 3 months, benefits stop
• You must work to get benefits again

Who Is Exempt from Work Requirements:

You DON’T have to work if you:

• Are age 60 or older
• Are pregnant
• Care for a child under age 6
• Care for a disabled person
• Can’t work due to disability
• Already work 30+ hours per week
• Get SSI, TANF, or unemployment benefits
• Are Native American or American Indian
• Are physically or mentally unable to work

Source: USDA SNAP Work Requirements

SNAP Student Eligibility Rules

College students enrolled at least half-time can only get SNAP if they meet ONE exemption:

Student Exemptions:

• Work 20+ hours per week
• Are under 18 or age 50+
• Care for a child under age 6
• Unable to work due to disability
• Participate in work-study program
• Enrolled in job training program

Important: If you’re enrolled LESS than half-time, these student rules don’t apply. You follow regular SNAP work requirements.

What Income Counts for SNAP?

Income That COUNTS:

Earned income:

• Wages and salaries
• Self-employment income
• Tips and bonuses

Unearned income:

• Social Security benefits
• SSI payments
• Unemployment benefits
• Child support payments
• Veterans benefits
• Pension and retirement income
• Disability benefits

Income That Does NOT Count:

• The first $20/month of unearned income
• SNAP benefits themselves
• Tax refunds
• Gifts and loans (usually)
• Educational grants and scholarships (partially)
• Money from certain Native American programs
• Disaster assistance

Source: USDA SNAP Income Guidelines

How SNAP Calculates Your Net Income

SNAP uses deductions to lower your countable income.

Standard Deductions for 2026:

Other Deductions You Can Claim:

1. Earned income deduction: 20% of all wages
2. Dependent care costs: Child care needed for work
3. Medical expenses: For elderly/disabled, amounts over $35/month
4. Shelter costs: Rent, mortgage, utilities over 50% of income (capped at $744)
5. Homeless shelter deduction: $190.30 if homeless

Example calculation:

Gross income: $2,000

• Earned income deduction (20%): -$400
• Standard deduction: -$204
• Shelter deduction: -$300 Net income: $1,096

If you’re a household of 1, you’d qualify because $1,096 is below the $1,305 net limit.

Want to calculate your exact benefit amount? Use our free SNAP eligibility calculator to estimate your monthly benefits based on your income, household size, and deductions. It takes less than 2 minutes to get your results.

New Non-Citizen Eligibility Rules (November 1, 2025)

Immigration status affects SNAP eligibility starting November 1, 2025.

Who CAN Get SNAP:

• U.S. citizens
• U.S. nationals
• Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders)
• Refugees (within 8 years of entry)
• Asylees (within 8 years of entry)
• Cuban or Haitian entrants
• Trafficking victims
• Certain crime victims
• Native Americans and American Indians

Who CANNOT Get SNAP:

• Most legal immigrants after 5 years (NEW RULE)
• Undocumented immigrants
• People on temporary visas

Important: You must verify immigration status at application and recertification.

Source: USDA Non-Citizen Eligibility

How to Apply for SNAP Benefits

Required Documents:

Identity:

• Driver’s license or state ID
• Birth certificate
• Passport

Income proof:

• Pay stubs (last 30 days)
• Social Security award letter
• Unemployment letter
• Self-employment tax return

Residence proof:

• Lease or mortgage statement
• Utility bill in your name
• Mail with your address

Resources:

• Bank statements (last month)
• Vehicle registration

Other:

• Social Security Numbers for household
• Child care receipts (if claiming deduction)
• Medical bills (if elderly/disabled)

Application Steps:

1. Complete application – Online, by phone, mail, or in person
2. Submit documents – Within 30 days
3. Complete interview – Phone or in-person required
4. Get decision – State decides within 30 days
5. Receive benefits – Loaded on EBT card

Expedited service: Some households get approved in 7 days if they have very low income and resources.

Where to Apply:

• Online: Check your state’s SNAP website
• Phone: Call your local SNAP office
• In person: Visit your county social services office

Find your state SNAP office at benefits.gov.

SNAP Recertification Requirements

You must recertify to keep getting SNAP benefits.

Certification Periods:

• 6 months: Households with changing income
• 12 months: Most regular households
• 36 months: Elderly/disabled-only households

What You Must Do:

• Complete recertification form
• Provide updated income proof
• Complete interview (may be waived for elderly/disabled)
• Submit by the deadline

Warning: If you miss recertification, your benefits stop. You must reapply to get them back.

Special SNAP Categories

Homeless Individuals:

• Can still get SNAP benefits
• No longer automatically exempt from work rules (as of Nov 1, 2025)
• Get standard shelter deduction of $190.30
• Can apply through outreach programs

Veterans:

• Eligible for SNAP like any other adult
• No longer automatically exempt from ABAWD work requirements (as of Nov 1, 2025)
• Must work 80 hours/month if age 18-65 without young dependents

Foster Youth (Age 18-24):

• Aged out of foster care
• No longer automatically exempt from work rules (as of Nov 1, 2025)
• Must meet work requirements like other adults

State Variations: Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility

45 states plus DC use BBCE (Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility).

BBCE Benefits:

• No asset test in most BBCE states
• Higher income limits (up to 200% of poverty line in some states)
• Easier application process
• Automatic school meal eligibility for kids
• Check if your state uses BBCE: Contact your state SNAP office or visit USDA BBCE information.

SNAP Penalties and Disqualifications

Work Requirement Violations:

Quit job without good reason:

• 1st violation: 3 months no benefits
• 2nd violation: 6 months no benefits
• 3rd violation: 12 months no benefits

ABAWD failure:

• Don’t work 80 hours/month for 3 months
• Benefits stop until you meet requirements

Intentional Program Violations:

Types of fraud:

• Lying on application
• Not reporting income changes
• Selling SNAP benefits (trafficking)

Penalties:

• 1st offense: 12+ month ban
• 2nd offense: Longer ban
• 3rd offense: Permanent ban possible

Key Takeaways for SNAP 2025-2026

• ✅ Income limits updated: Check the October 2025 amounts
• ✅ Work requirements expanded: Now applies to ages 18-65 (was 18-55)
• ✅ Dependent age lowered: Child must be under 14 to exempt parent (was under 18)
• ✅ Veterans and homeless changes: No longer automatically exempt from work rules
• ✅ Non-citizen restrictions: Fewer immigrants qualify as of November 1, 2025
• ✅ Asset limits unchanged: Still $3,000 for most households
• ✅ Elderly/disabled advantage: Only net income test applies, higher asset limit
• ✅ Deductions reduce income: Medical, shelter, and child care costs help you qualify

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Resources

📌 Federal SNAP Information: fns.usda.gov/snap

📌 Find Your State Office: benefits.gov

📌 SNAP Work Requirements: USDA Work Rules

📌 Apply Online: Check your state’s SNAP portal

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about SNAP eligibility for 2025-2026. Rules may vary by state. Contact your local SNAP office for specific guidance and to apply. Information is current as of November 15, 2025 and based on USDA Food and Nutrition Service official guidelines and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025.

Last Reviewed: November 15, 2025