Updated August 31, 2026, for the FY 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustment, effective October 1, 2026.
SNAP benefits 2026 and 2027 have different payment amounts. SNAP, sometimes called food stamps, helps eligible households buy groceries.
For a family of four, the maximum is $994 in FY 2026. It rises to $1,023 in FY 2027.
The new FY 2027 amounts start October 1, 2026. They apply through September 30, 2027.
Quick answer
- The SNAP benefits family of 4 maximum in the 48 states and D.C. is $994 for FY 2026. It rises to $1,023 for FY 2027.
- The SNAP maximum benefit for one person is $298 in FY 2026. It rises to $306 in FY 2027.
- The minimum SNAP benefit for eligible one- and two-person households is $24 in FY 2026. It increases to $25 in FY 2027 for the 48 states and D.C.
- FY 2026 amounts apply through September 30, 2026. New FY 2027 amounts start October 1, 2026.
- Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have different SNAP payment amounts.
- Households must meet applicable income and asset limits, explained below, to qualify for SNAP.
Which Fiscal Year Applies to You — 2026 or 2027?
SNAP uses a fiscal year that runs from October 1 through September 30.
If you’re reading this before October 1, 2026, FY 2026 amounts apply to you. FY 2026 benefit amounts remain in effect through September 30, 2026.
Starting October 1, 2026, FY 2027 amounts apply. See our guide to SNAP changes coming October 2026 for the full transition explainer.
Maximum Monthly SNAP Benefits — FY 2026 vs. FY 2027
The table below shows the maximum monthly SNAP payment for the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. Your actual benefit may be lower based on household income, deductions, and other eligibility rules.
Table caption: SNAP maximum monthly benefit by household size, FY 2026 vs. FY 2027.
| Household size | FY 2026 maximum | FY 2027 maximum | Dollar change | Percent change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $298 | $306 | +$8 | +2.7% |
| 2 people | $546 | $562 | +$16 | +2.9% |
| 3 people | $785 | $808 | +$23 | +2.9% |
| 4 people | $994 | $1,023 | +$29 | +2.9% |
| 5 people | $1,183 | $1,217 | +$34 | +2.9% |
| 6 people | $1,421 | $1,463 | +$42 | +3.0% |
| 7 people | $1,571 | $1,616 | +$45 | +2.9% |
| 8 people | $1,789 | $1,841 | +$52 | +2.9% |
| Each additional person, 9–17 | +$218 | +$225 | +$7 | +3.2% |
| 18 or more people | $3,578 | $3,887 | +$309 | +8.6% |
A one-person household can receive up to $306 a month in FY 2027. The SNAP maximum benefit for a family of four rises from $994 in FY 2026 to $1,023 in FY 2027.
These figures apply only to the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands use different maximum allotment amounts, shown below.
Alaska maximum SNAP benefits
Alaska uses three SNAP benefit areas: Urban, Rural I, and Rural II.
| Household size | Alaska Urban FY26 | FY27 | Alaska Rural I FY26 | FY27 | Alaska Rural II FY26 | FY27 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $385 | $392 | $491 | $499 | $598 | $608 |
| 2 people | $707 | $718 | $901 | $916 | $1,097 | $1,115 |
| 3 people | $1,015 | $1,032 | $1,295 | $1,316 | $1,576 | $1,602 |
| 4 people | $1,285 | $1,306 | $1,639 | $1,666 | $1,995 | $2,027 |
| 5 people | $1,529 | $1,555 | $1,950 | $1,982 | $2,374 | $2,413 |
| 6 people | $1,838 | $1,868 | $2,344 | $2,382 | $2,853 | $2,900 |
| 7 people | $2,031 | $2,064 | $2,590 | $2,632 | $3,152 | $3,204 |
| 8 people | $2,314 | $2,352 | $2,950 | $2,999 | $3,591 | $3,650 |
Hawaii, Guam and U.S. Virgin Islands maximum SNAP benefits
Hawaii is the exception: its maximum four-person SNAP payment decreases to $1,655 for FY 2027, even as Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands increase.
| Household size | Hawaii FY26 | FY27 | Guam FY26 | FY27 | U.S. Virgin Islands FY26 | FY27 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $506 | $496 | $439 | $452 | $383 | $394 |
| 2 people | $929 | $910 | $806 | $829 | $703 | $723 |
| 3 people | $1,334 | $1,307 | $1,157 | $1,191 | $1,009 | $1,039 |
| 4 people | $1,689 | $1,655 | $1,465 | $1,507 | $1,278 | $1,315 |
| 5 people | $2,010 | $1,969 | $1,743 | $1,794 | $1,521 | $1,565 |
| 6 people | $2,415 | $2,367 | $2,095 | $2,156 | $1,827 | $1,880 |
The annual maximum amounts change because USDA adjusts SNAP standards for the new fiscal year under the program’s annual cost-of-living process and the Thrifty Food Plan. For a fuller explanation of the formula and the SNAP COLA 2027, see our FY 2027 SNAP COLA guide.
Am I Eligible? Income and Asset Limits
Most households must meet SNAP income rules. Figures below are national baseline amounts for the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C.; Alaska and Hawaii have different, higher income standards.
A household’s situation matters. Income, household size, deductions, immigration status, work rules, and state policy can all affect eligibility. The gross income test looks at income before most deductions. The net income test uses income after permitted SNAP deductions.
Gross Income Limits (130% FPL)
| Household size | FY 2026 gross monthly limit | FY 2027 gross monthly limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $1,696 | $1,729 |
| 2 people | $2,292 | $2,345 |
| 3 people | $2,888 | $2,960 |
| 4 people | $3,483 | $3,575 |
| 5 people | $4,079 | $4,191 |
| 6 people | $4,675 | $4,806 |
| 7 people | $5,271 | $5,421 |
| 8 people | $5,867 | $6,037 |
| Each additional person | +$596 | +$616 |
The FY 2027 gross income limit is $1,729 a month for one person and $3,575 a month for a four-person household in the 48 states and D.C.
Net Income Limits (100% FPL)
Net income means income after allowable SNAP deductions. Many households must meet the net income test, although some household types and state policies have different rules.
| Household size | FY 2026 net monthly limit | FY 2027 net monthly limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $1,305 | $1,330 |
| 2 people | $1,763 | $1,804 |
| 3 people | $2,221 | $2,277 |
| 4 people | $2,680 | $2,750 |
| 5 people | $3,138 | $3,224 |
| 6 people | $3,596 | $3,697 |
| 7 people | $4,055 | $4,170 |
| 8 people | $4,513 | $4,644 |
| Each additional person | +$459 | +$474 |
For FY 2027, the net income test is $1,330 a month for one person and $2,750 a month for four people in the 48 states and D.C.
Asset (Resource) Limits
For FY 2027, the federal SNAP asset limit is $3,000 for most households. It is $4,750 when at least one household member is age 60 or older or has a disability.
Some states use categorical eligibility, often called BBCE. In plain language, this is a state option that can let certain households qualify under different resource or income rules because they receive, or are eligible for, a qualifying non-cash benefit or service.
These are federal baseline amounts, not a final eligibility decision. For state-specific income rules, BBCE policies, asset-limit variations, and application guidance, see our SNAP Income Limits by State.
How Your Benefit Amount Is Calculated
Your SNAP payment is not always the maximum amount. The state first subtracts allowed deductions from your household income. It then uses your remaining net income to estimate your monthly benefit.
$$\text{Maximum Allotment} – (30% \times \text{Net Income}) = \text{Monthly SNAP Benefit}$$
For FY 2027, the maximum allotment for a three-person household in the 48 states and Washington, D.C. is $808 a month. The formula helps explain why a household may receive less than that amount.
Example: Three-person household
This example uses FY 2027 amounts for the 48 states and D.C.
| Step | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum monthly allotment | Three-person household maximum | $808 |
| Net monthly income | Income after allowed SNAP deductions | $400 |
| Expected household contribution | 30% × $400 | $120 |
| Estimated monthly SNAP benefit | $808 − $120 | $688 |
A household with $400 in calculated net income could receive about $688 a month. The state agency makes the final decision after reviewing verified income, expenses, deductions, and household details.
SNAP deductions that can raise benefits
These deductions reduce countable income. Lower net income can mean a higher monthly SNAP payment.
| Deduction type | How it works | FY 2027 figure or rule |
|---|---|---|
| Standard deduction | A basic deduction based on household size | 48 states and D.C.: $217 for 1–3 people, $229 for 4, $268 for 5, $308 for 6 or more |
| Earned-income deduction | A deduction for wages, self-employment income, and other earnings | 20% of earned income |
| Dependent-care deduction | Costs needed so a household member can work, train, or attend school | Actual qualifying costs; no federal cap |
| Medical deduction | Unreimbursed medical costs for qualifying members age 60 or older or with a disability | Eligible expenses above $35 a month may count |
| Excess shelter deduction | Qualifying housing and utility costs above half of income after other deductions | Capped at $769 in the 48 states and D.C. for households without an elderly or disabled member |
| Homeless shelter deduction | A flat deduction for households incurring shelter costs while homeless | $205.66 |
Internet and broadband costs cannot be counted toward the excess shelter deduction or a state’s utility allowance calculation, under a 2025 federal law change (OBBBA).
Calculate Your Exact SNAP Benefit
Enter your household size and income below for your exact FY 2027 estimate.
Free SNAP Calculator
Estimate your possible SNAP benefit using your household size, monthly income, rent or mortgage, utilities, child-care expenses, medical costs, and other deductions.
This SNAP calculator provides an estimate only. Your state SNAP agency decides eligibility and the final monthly benefit amount.
Content note: embed the live calculator widget directly in this section when feasible, so tool-intent visitors aren’t sent away from the page.
What’s Changing for SNAP in FY 2027
- FY 2027 benefit amounts begin October 1, 2026. The maximum benefit for a four-person household in the 48 states and D.C. rises to $1,023, while Hawaii’s four-person maximum decreases to $1,655.
- SNAP work requirements changed under the 2025 federal law (OBBBA). The age exception for able-bodied adults without dependents now applies at 65 and older, up from a lower age cutoff. The exception for caring for a dependent child now only applies to children under 14. Exceptions for homeless individuals, veterans, and young adults who aged out of foster care were removed, while new exceptions were added for certain Native American individuals. States other than Alaska and Hawaii generally need a local unemployment rate of 10% or higher to request a waiver of the time limit.
- Non-citizen eligibility rules changed. The same law changed SNAP eligibility for certain non-citizens; check your state SNAP agency for the current rules that apply to your household.
- State SNAP costs are changing over time. The federal share of state administrative costs drops from 50% to 25%, starting FY 2027. A separate requirement for states to help cover a share of benefit costs, based on their payment error rate, generally begins in FY 2028.
These OBBBA SNAP changes can affect program administration and some households differently. They do not mean every SNAP recipient will lose benefits or receive the same payment change.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will my SNAP benefits increase in FY 2027?
Maximum SNAP benefits increase by household size and location. In the 48 states and D.C., the maximum rises from $298 to $306 for one person and from $994 to $1,023 for four people. Your actual change may differ.
Do I need to reapply to get the new amount?
Usually, no. State SNAP agencies generally update benefit amounts automatically when new federal annual figures take effect. You should still report required household changes and complete recertification when your state asks.
Are SNAP benefits taxable?
No. SNAP benefits are not taxable income. They are food-assistance benefits placed on an EBT card and are not reported as taxable wages, self-employment income, or other taxable income.
What are the SNAP work requirements in 2026?
Some adults must register for work, accept suitable work, and follow Employment and Training rules if assigned. Adults subject to the SNAP time limit generally must complete 80 hours monthly of work, qualifying training, or workfare unless exempt. A 2025 federal law raised the age exception to 65 and older.
Can I get SNAP if I work full-time?
Yes. Working full-time does not automatically prevent SNAP eligibility. Your household may qualify if its countable income, household size, deductions, and state rules meet SNAP requirements. A larger household or high qualifying expenses can affect the result.
What’s the difference between SNAP and food stamps?
They refer to the same federal food-assistance program. “Food stamps” is the older common name. SNAP is the current official name: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Most participants now receive benefits through an EBT card.
Sources & When This Page Was Last Verified
This page uses federal SNAP data for both current and upcoming fiscal years:
- USDA FY 2026 SNAP Cost-of-Living Adjustment memorandum — FY 2026 figures apply October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
- USDA FY 2027 SNAP Cost-of-Living Adjustment memorandum — issued August 21, 2026. FY 2027 figures take effect October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
- USDA SNAP eligibility information — federal eligibility standards, household rules, deductions, and state-administered SNAP information.
- USDA SNAP work requirements — general work requirements, the 80-hour monthly standard, work-program options, and applicable exceptions.
Reviewed by [Insert author name, credential]. Figures cross-checked against USDA’s official FY 2027 COLA memorandum, issued August 21, 2026. Page last verified August 31, 2026.
Use our SNAP eligibility calculator to estimate a possible monthly benefit based on your household size, income, housing costs, and allowable deductions. The result is an estimate only; your state SNAP agency makes the final eligibility and benefit decision.
