Missouri SNAP Income Limits 2026–2027: New Oct. 1 Rules

Q: How do I apply for SNAP in Missouri?

Apply online at mydss.mo.gov , call 1-855-373-4636, or visit an FSD Resource Center. Expect an interview. Most decisions come within 30 days. Households with very little money may get help within 7 days.

Missouri’s SNAP income limits rose on Oct. 1, 2026. A one-person household can now earn up to $1,729 a month before taxes. A family of four can earn up to $3,575. (USDA)

These limits last through Sept. 30, 2027. Most households must also pass a net income test and an asset test. The tables below cover every household size.

Missouri also changed its paperwork rules on Oct. 1. New applicants and renewing households must now prove rent, child care costs and bank balances. (Missouri DSS)

Article summary

Gross income limit: $1,729 for 1 person and $3,575 for 4 people.
Net income limit: $1,330 for 1 person and $2,750 for 4 people.
Maximum benefit: $306 for 1 person and $1,023 for 4 people.
Asset limit: $3,000, or $4,750 if someone is 60 or older or disabled.
New in Missouri: Applicants and renewals now need proof of housing costs, child care costs and savings.
Dates: All limits run Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027.

Missouri SNAP income limits, Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027

Find your household size in the table. Your household is the people who buy and cook food together. Spouses count, and so do children under 22 who live with you.

Gross income is your total income before taxes and deductions. Net income is what is left after allowed deductions. Most households must meet both limits.

Household size	Gross monthly limit (130% of poverty)	Net monthly limit (100% of poverty)	Maximum monthly benefit
1	$1,729	$1,330	$306
2	$2,345	$1,804	$562
3	$2,960	$2,277	$808
4	$3,575	$2,750	$1,023
5	$4,191	$3,224	$1,217
6	$4,806	$3,697	$1,463
7	$5,421	$4,170	$1,616
8	$6,037	$4,644	$1,841
Each added person	+$616	+$474	+$225 (for 9 to 17 people)

Source: USDA SNAP cost-of-living adjustments, FY 2027. These are federal numbers. They apply to Missouri and the other 47 states and D.C.

Seeing different numbers elsewhere? On Oct. 5, 2026, the Missouri DSS income limits chart still showed last year’s SNAP figures. It listed $41,796 a year ($3,483 a month) for a family of four. The USDA numbers above took effect on Oct. 1, 2026. Many other websites also still show the old limits.

Want to see how the new federal numbers changed? Read our SNAP FY 2027 cost-of-living guide. You can also compare SNAP income limits by state.

Which income test applies to you?

Most Missouri households must pass two tests. Your gross income must be at or below the gross limit. Your net income must be at or below the net limit. A few households follow different rules.

Most households

Both tests apply. Check your gross income first. If it is under the limit for your household size, SNAP then subtracts deductions to find your net income.

Households with someone 60 or older or disabled

These households only need to pass the net income test. They skip the gross test. (USDA)

They also get two extra benefits. They can deduct out-of-pocket medical costs above $35 a month. They can deduct all shelter costs over half their income, with no $769 cap. Learn more on the Missouri DSS medical deductions page.

Does Missouri use broad-based categorical eligibility?

Broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) lets a state raise the gross income limit and drop the asset test. Many states use it. Missouri does not.

That means Missouri keeps the standard 130% gross limit and the asset limit. If you saw a 200% limit on another website, it does not apply here. You can check the USDA BBCE state chart yourself.

How SNAP counts your income and deductions

SNAP starts with your gross income. It then subtracts set deductions to reach your net income. A lower net income means a higher benefit.

Deduction	Amount (Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027)
Earned income	20% of your pay
Standard deduction	$217 for 1 to 3 people, $229 for 4, $268 for 5, $308 for 6 or more
Dependent care	Actual cost of child or adult care you need to work, look for work or train
Medical costs (60+ or disabled only)	Costs above $35 a month
Excess shelter	Rent or mortgage and utilities above half your remaining income, capped at $769

Sources: USDA deductions table and USDA eligibility page. The $769 cap does not apply if someone in the household is 60 or older or disabled.

Example: a family of four

This family has $1,500 in pay and $550 in Social Security. They pay $900 a month for rent and utilities. They pay $362 a month for child care so a parent can work.

Gross income: $1,500 + $550 = $2,050. This is under the $3,575 limit.
Subtract 20% of pay ($300) and the $229 standard deduction: $1,521.
Subtract child care ($362): $1,159.
Half of that is $579.50. Shelter costs above that are $320.50. Subtract it: $838.50 net income.
Net income is under the $2,750 limit, so the family qualifies.
Benefit: $1,023 minus 30% of net income ($252, rounded up) = $771 a month.

This is only an example. Your own numbers will differ. To skip the math, try our Missouri SNAP calculator.

Asset limits: how much money can you have?

Missouri households can have $3,000 in countable resources. The limit is $4,750 if anyone is 60 or older or disabled. You can be under the income limit and still be denied for having too much in savings. (USDA)

Countable resources include cash and money in bank accounts. These do not count:

Your home and lot
Resources of people who get SSI or TANF
Most retirement and pension plans

Vehicles can count, but many are excluded. Ask your caseworker how Missouri treats yours.

Since Oct. 1, 2026, Missouri asks for proof of your bank balances. See the documents list below.

How much SNAP you could get

Your benefit is the maximum for your household size minus 30% of your net income. SNAP rounds that 30% up. Most households get less than the maximum. (USDA)

In practice, every extra $100 of net income lowers your benefit by about $30.

One- and two-person households get at least $25 a month if they qualify. (USDA)

The family-of-four maximum rose $29 on Oct. 1, to $1,023. (KY3) Use the Missouri SNAP calculator to estimate your own amount.

What changed for Missouri SNAP in 2026

The new income limits are not the only change. Missouri also started asking for more proof. Federal work and immigration rules also affect who can get SNAP.

New proof rules

Missouri now requires documents for shelter costs, dependent care costs and bank balances. Before, your own statement was often enough. (Missouri DSS)

The rule covers applications, renewals and add-a-person requests filed on or after Oct. 1. Current households do not need to send anything now. Send proof when you renew. DSS mailed a notice to all active households in September.

If you cannot give proof of an expense, DSS still processes your case. It just skips that deduction. You can send the proof later.

Work rules

Adults who can work may need to show 80 hours a month of work or training. Missouri’s list of exemptions includes:

A child under 14 in your home
Age under 18 or over 64
30 or more work hours a week
A physical or mental health reason
Pregnancy
Caring for a child under 6

If you must meet the rule and do not, you can get SNAP for only 3 months in 36. (Missouri DSS, USDA)

The federal H.R. 1 law raised the age limit to 64. Parents are now exempt only if their child is under 14. Veterans, people who are homeless and former foster youth no longer get an automatic exemption. (Missouri DSS)

Other federal changes

Immigration (since Nov. 1, 2025): SNAP now covers U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and COFA residents. Refugees, asylees and other qualified immigrants can no longer get it. (Missouri DSS)
Utility allowance: The $495 standard utility allowance for households that get energy assistance now goes only to households with an elderly or disabled member. (Missouri DSS)

Call DSS at 1-855-373-4636 if you are unsure how these rules affect you.

Food limits start Feb. 15, 2027

Missouri’s Healthy SNAP plan will block SNAP purchases of candy, prepared desserts and some sugary drinks. DSS moved the start date from Oct. 1, 2026 to Feb. 15, 2027. (Missouri DSS) Some news stories still give the old date. You can still buy these items with SNAP today.

Documents to have ready

Gather these before you apply or renew. DSS gives you 10 days to send proof after it asks. (Missouri DSS)

What you must prove	Documents that work
Rent or mortgage	Signed lease, rent receipt with landlord details, latest mortgage or property tax statement
Utilities	Recent electric, gas, water, sewer, trash or heating fuel bills
Child or adult care	Itemized receipt from a licensed provider, a signed statement from an independent caregiver, or canceled checks and payment receipts
Savings and bank balances	Latest statements for checking, savings, money market accounts and CDs

No lease? A signed note from the person you pay works. It should list their name, phone, address, amount and how often you pay.

Upload photos or scans in the FSD portal. You can also mail copies to Family Support Division, PO Box 2700, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Never mail originals.

Need help with the form? Follow our Missouri SNAP application guide.

Missouri SNAP income limits FAQs

Here are quick answers to common questions. Each one reflects the rules in effect from Oct. 1, 2026.

What is the SNAP income limit in Missouri in 2026?

A one-person household can earn up to $1,729 a month before taxes. A family of four can earn up to $3,575. After deductions, net income must be at or below $1,330 for one person and $2,750 for four.

Can I get SNAP if I earn slightly over the gross limit?

Usually no. Most Missouri households must be at or under the gross limit. The exception is a household with someone 60 or older or disabled. It only needs to meet the net income limit.

Do I need to send new proof if I already get SNAP?

Not right now. Current households send proof of rent, utilities, child care and savings at their next renewal on or after Oct. 1, 2026. Keep reporting changes as usual.

How much SNAP will I get in Missouri?

Your benefit equals the maximum for your household size minus 30% of your net income. The maximum is $306 for one person and $1,023 for four. One- and two-person households get at least $25.

When do Missouri SNAP benefits arrive?

Missouri loads benefits onto EBT cards on a set monthly schedule, between the 1st and the 22nd. Check the DSS monthly EBT benefit schedule for your date.

How do I apply for SNAP in Missouri?

Apply online at mydss.mo.gov, call 1-855-373-4636, or visit an FSD Resource Center. Expect an interview. Most decisions come within 30 days. Households with very little money may get help within 7 days.

Conclusion

Missouri’s SNAP income limits run from Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027. A family of four can earn up to $3,575 a month before taxes and still qualify, if net income and savings also fit. Households with someone 60 or older or disabled only need to meet the net limit.

Start by checking your household size in the table. Then gather proof of rent, utilities, child care and savings. Use our Missouri SNAP calculator to estimate your benefit. When you are ready, follow our step-by-step application guide.