Louisiana SNAP Income Limits 2026: Full Eligibility Guide

Louisiana SNAP income limits for 2026 allow households to earn up to $2,608 monthly for one person or $5,358 for four people and still qualify for food assistance.

Your actual benefit depends on household size, income, and allowable deductions.

Quick overview of Louisiana SNAP in 2026:

• Gross income limit: $2,608/month for 1 person, $5,358 for 4 people
• Maximum benefit: $298/month for 1 person, $994 for 4 people
• Higher limits available: Households with elderly or disabled members may qualify with income up to $4,421/month (4 people)
• Categorical eligibility: SSI or TANF recipients can have income up to 200% of poverty level
• New food restrictions: Soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy cannot be purchased starting February 18, 2026
• Application processing: Standard 30 days; expedited benefits in 7 days if eligible

Last updated: January, 2026

Who Qualifies for Louisiana SNAP Benefits?

Louisiana residents must meet income, resource, and other requirements. Most households must pass both gross income and net income tests.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

You must meet these requirements to receive SNAP:

• Live in Louisiana and apply in your parish
• Be a U.S. citizen or qualified legal immigrant
• Provide Social Security Numbers for all household members
• Have limited income and resources based on household size
• Register for work if you’re an able-bodied adult

Children, elderly adults, and people with disabilities have special protections and higher income limits.

Louisiana SNAP Income Limits 2026

Income limits depend on your household size. Louisiana uses federal poverty guidelines updated each October.

Standard Gross Income Limits (130% FPL)

Gross income includes all money before taxes and deductions:

Household Size	Maximum Monthly Income
1 person	$2,608
2 people	$3,526
3 people	$4,442
4 people	$5,358
5 people	$6,276
6 people	$7,192
7 people	$8,108
Each extra person	Add $916

What counts as gross income: Wages, self-employment income, Social Security, unemployment, child support, and most other money your household receives.

Net Income Limits (100% FPL)

Net income is what you have left after deductions. Most households must meet this limit:

Household Size	Maximum Net Income
1 person	$1,304
2 people	$1,763
3 people	$2,221
4 people	$2,679
5 people	$3,138
6 people	$3,596
7 people	$4,054
Each extra person	Add $458

Important: If your household includes someone age 60+ or receiving disability benefits, you only need to meet the net income limit. The gross income limit doesn’t apply to you.

Higher Income Limits for Elderly or Disabled Households

Households with elderly (60+) or disabled members living separately qualify at 165% of poverty:

Household Size	Maximum Monthly Income
1 person	$2,152
2 people	$2,909
3 people	$3,665
4 people	$4,421

This applies when an elderly or disabled person forms their own household, even if living with others.

Categorical Eligibility: Higher Income Without Asset Limits

Louisiana offers Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) for households receiving certain benefits.

Who Automatically Qualifies?

If all members of your household receive any of these benefits, you may qualify with higher income:

• SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
• FITAP (Family Independence Temporary Assistance) – Louisiana’s cash assistance
• Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP)
• Strategies to Empower People (STEP)

Income limit: Up to 200% of federal poverty level (about $4,016/month for 1 person)

Asset limit: None – you can have any amount in savings or resources

This makes SNAP accessible to more Louisiana families who need help. To learn how SNAP income limits by state compare, check eligibility rules in your area.

Louisiana SNAP Benefit Amounts 2026

Your benefit amount depends on household size and net income. Here are maximum monthly benefits:

Household Size	Maximum Monthly Benefit
1 person	$298
2 people	$546
3 people	$785
4 people	$994
5 people	$1,183
6 people	$1,421
7 people	$1,571
8 people	$1,789
Each extra person	Add $218

Minimum benefit: $24/month for households with 1-2 people.

How Your Benefit Is Calculated

Louisiana uses this formula:

SNAP Benefit = Maximum Allotment – (30% × Net Income)

Example: A family of four with $1,500 net income:

• Maximum benefit: $994
• 30% of $1,500 = $450
• SNAP benefit: $994 – $450 = $544/month

Use a Louisiana SNAP calculator to estimate your benefits before applying.

Deductions That Lower Your Countable Income

Louisiana allows you to subtract certain expenses from gross income. This increases your chance of qualifying and raises your benefit amount.

Standard Deduction (Everyone Gets This)

Household Size	Deduction Amount
1-3 people	$209/month
4 people	$223/month
5 people	$261/month
6+ people	$299/month

This deduction is automatic for all households.

Earned Income Deduction (20%)

If you work, Louisiana deducts 20% of your earned income. This rewards working families.

Example: You earn $1,500/month. Louisiana subtracts $300 (20%), leaving $1,200 countable.

Shelter Deduction (Rent, Mortgage, Utilities)

You can deduct housing costs that exceed 50% of your income after other deductions.

Maximum shelter deduction: $744/month

Eligible expenses:

• Rent or mortgage payments
• Property taxes
• Homeowners insurance
• Utility costs (electric, gas, water, phone)

How it works: Only the amount over 50% of your adjusted income counts, up to $744.

Dependent Care Deduction

Child care or adult care costs needed for work, school, or training can be fully deducted.

What counts:

• Daycare for children
• Before/after school care
• Care for disabled adults
• Elder care while you work

You must show these costs are necessary and not reimbursed.

Medical Expense Deduction (Elderly or Disabled Only)

Households with someone age 60+ or disabled can deduct medical costs over $35/month.

Eligible expenses:

• Doctor visits and prescriptions
• Medical supplies and equipment
• Health insurance premiums
• Transportation to medical appointments

Only unreimbursed expenses count.

Homeless Shelter Deduction

If you’re experiencing homelessness and living in a shelter, you can deduct up to $198.99/month as a shelter cost.

Resource and Asset Limits

Resources are things you own that can be converted to cash.

How Much Can You Have?

Household Type	Resource Limit
Standard households	$3,000
With elderly (60+) or disabled member	$4,500
Categorically eligible (SSI/TANF)	No limit

What Doesn’t Count as Resources

These assets are not counted toward your limit:

• Your home and the land it’s on
• One vehicle (or vehicles worth under $4,650)
• Retirement accounts (401k, IRA, pension)
• Household items (furniture, appliances, clothing)
• Tools needed for work

Most Louisiana families easily meet resource limits.

Work Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults (ABAWD Rules)

Louisiana enforces work requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs).

Who Must Meet Work Requirements?

You’re an ABAWD if you are:

• Age 18-54
• Physically and mentally able to work
• Not living with children under 18
• Not pregnant
• Not disabled

What’s Required?

ABAWDs must work or participate in approved activities for 80 hours per month (about 20 hours per week).

Qualifying activities:

• Paid employment
• Volunteer work
• Job training programs
• Workfare programs
• College or vocational school (at least half-time)

Time Limit Without Work

If you don’t meet the work requirement, you can only receive SNAP for 3 months in a 36-month period.

Current period: April 2023 – March 2026

Who Is Exempt?

You don’t have to meet work requirements if you:

• Are under 18 or over 54 years old
• Live with a child under 18
• Are pregnant
• Have a physical or mental disability
• Already work 30+ hours per week
• Attend school at least half-time
• Receive or applied for unemployment benefits

Most Louisiana SNAP recipients are exempt from these rules.

Louisiana’s New Food Restrictions (Starting February 18, 2026)

Louisiana implemented a federal demonstration project limiting what you can buy with SNAP.

What You Cannot Buy

Starting February 18, 2026, SNAP benefits cannot purchase:

• Soft drinks (soda, pop, colas)
• Energy drinks (Red Bull, Monster, etc.)
• Candy (chocolate, gum, mints, sweets)

These restrictions aim to reduce diet-related health problems in Louisiana.

What You Can Still Buy

SNAP benefits work for:

• Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, canned)
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)
• Bread, cereal, and grains
• Seeds and plants to grow food at home
• Baby formula and food

The restriction runs through January 2028, with possible extensions.

How to Apply for SNAP in Louisiana

Louisiana offers multiple ways to apply for food assistance.

Online Application (Fastest Method)

Visit the Louisiana Department of Health website and complete your application online.

You’ll need:

• Proof of identity (driver’s license, state ID)
• Social Security numbers for household members
• Proof of income (pay stubs, benefit letters)
• Proof of address (utility bill, lease)
• Information about expenses (rent, utilities, child care)

Apply by Phone

Call 1-888-LAHELP-U (1-888-524-3578) to apply over the phone. Representatives can help in English and Spanish.

Apply by Mail

Download and print the application from the Louisiana Department of Health website. Mail completed forms to:

LDH Economic Stability
P.O. Box 260031
Baton Rouge, LA 70826

Apply in Person

Visit your nearest parish office to apply in person. Find your local office on the Louisiana SNAP office locator.

For step-by-step instructions, read our guide on fastest way to apply for SNAP in Louisiana.

How Long Does Processing Take?

• Standard processing: 30 days from application submission
• Expedited benefits: 7 days if you qualify for emergency assistance

You qualify for expedited SNAP if:

• Your household has less than $150 monthly income AND $100 or less in resources
• Your monthly rent/mortgage exceeds your income and resources combined
• You’re a migrant or seasonal farm worker with resources of $100 or less

Special Rules for Elderly and Disabled Households

Louisiana provides extra help for households with elderly or disabled members.

Income Advantages

If you’re 60+ or receive disability benefits:

• You only have to meet the net income limit (not gross)
• Your gross income can be higher
• You have a higher resource limit ($4,500 vs $3,000)

Extra Deductions

Elderly and disabled households can deduct:

• Medical expenses over $35/month
• Higher shelter costs
• Costs for attendant care

These deductions significantly increase benefits for seniors and people with disabilities.

Simplified Reporting

Some elderly and disabled households only need to report changes once every 12 months, making SNAP easier to maintain.

Recent Updates to Louisiana SNAP (2025-2026)

Louisiana SNAP benefits and limits change every October based on federal poverty guidelines.

October 2025 Increases

Over 400,000 Louisiana households received higher benefits:

Benefit increases:

• 1 person: $291 → $298 (+$7/month)
• 4 people: $975 → $994 (+$19/month)

Income limit increases:

• 1 person: $2,510 → $2,608 (+$98/month)
• 4 people: $5,200 → $5,358 (+$158/month)

October 2024: Statewide Work Requirements

ABAWD work requirements now apply throughout Louisiana, affecting about 20,000 residents. Previously, some areas were exempt.

February 2026: Food Restrictions

Louisiana became one of the first states to restrict SNAP purchases of soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy.

These changes help Louisiana families keep pace with rising food costs while promoting healthier choices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Apply for Louisiana SNAP Today

Louisiana SNAP helps over 800,000 residents afford healthy food each month. If your income falls within the limits, you likely qualify for benefits.

Next steps:

1. Check your eligibility using income and resource limits
2. Gather required documents (ID, income proof, address)
3. Apply online at ldh.la.gov or call 1-888-524-3578
4. Complete your interview (phone or in-person)
5. Receive your EBT card and start buying groceries

Don’t let eligible benefits go unclaimed. Apply today and get help feeding your family.

Official Louisiana SNAP Resources:

• Louisiana Department of Health SNAP Page
• USDA Food and Nutrition Service