Last updated: August 30, 2026
USDA released the FY 2027 SNAP cost-of-living adjustments on August 21, 2026. Benefits are going up in most of the country starting October 1, 2026.
Hawaii is the one exception, with lower maximum benefits.
Source: USDA FY 2027 SNAP Cost-of-Living Adjustments memorandum, dated August 21, 2026.
Quick Answer
- New rules start October 1, 2026 and run through September 30, 2027.
- Family of four (48 states + D.C.): maximum benefit rises to $1,023 a month.
- One person (48 states + D.C.): maximum benefit rises to $306 a month.
- Minimum benefit (48 states + D.C.): rises to $25.
- Benefits go up in the 48 states, D.C., Alaska, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Hawaii is the exception — its maximum benefits go down for FY 2027.
- These are maximum amounts. Your actual benefit depends on your income, household size, and deductions.
- Your EBT deposit date still follows your state’s normal payment schedule, not October 1 itself.
What Changed and Why
The new rules run from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. That’s the entire federal fiscal year 2027.
The tables below show maximum possible benefits. They’re not what every household gets. Your actual SNAP payment depends on your income, household size, and allowed deductions. We explain how that math works later in this article.
Your state also sets its own EBT deposit schedule. So while the new standards apply October 1, your card might not update that exact day. It depends on your state’s normal payment calendar. For your exact date, see our SNAP payment schedule for October 2026.
When Does the FY 2027 SNAP COLA Take Effect?
The new SNAP standards start October 1, 2026. They stay in place through September 30, 2027.
Most households will see the updated amount in their first benefit month under the new rules. But your exact deposit date follows your state’s regular schedule.
States usually set payment dates by things like:
- Case number
- Last name
- Social Security number
- Other state-specific rules
So don’t expect every SNAP household to get a new deposit on October 1 itself. Check your state agency’s payment calendar for your specific date.
FY 2027 Maximum SNAP Benefits: 48 States and Washington, D.C.
This is the benefit schedule most people search for. It covers every state except Alaska and Hawaii, plus Washington D.C.
| Household size | Maximum monthly benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $306 |
| 2 | $562 |
| 3 | $808 |
| 4 | $1,023 |
| 5 | $1,217 |
| 6 | $1,463 |
| 7 | $1,616 |
| 8 | $1,841 |
| Each additional person (9–17) | +$225 |
| 18 or more people | $3,887 |
This table applies to all 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. — from California and Texas to New York and Florida, and everywhere in between. Alaska and Hawaii have their own tables below, because their cost of living is calculated separately.
Want to see how this applies where you live? Check your state’s page: California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, and Illinois.
Alaska SNAP Benefits for FY 2027
Alaska is split into three regions: Urban, Rural I, and Rural II. Each has a different maximum benefit, because the cost of food varies a lot across the state.
If you’re not sure which region you’re in, check with Alaska’s Division of Public Assistance. Your region affects your maximum benefit and your minimum benefit. See our Alaska SNAP eligibility guide and Alaska income limits for more detail.
| Household size | Urban | Rural I | Rural II |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $392 | $499 | $608 |
| 2 | $718 | $916 | $1,115 |
| 3 | $1,032 | $1,316 | $1,602 |
| 4 | $1,306 | $1,666 | $2,027 |
| 5 | $1,555 | $1,982 | $2,413 |
| 6 | $1,868 | $2,382 | $2,900 |
| 7 | $2,064 | $2,632 | $3,204 |
| 8 | $2,352 | $2,999 | $3,650 |
| Each additional person | +$287 | +$366 | +$446 |
| 18+ people | $4,965 | $6,331 | $7,705 |
Alaska’s minimum monthly benefit: $31 (Urban), $40 (Rural I), $49 (Rural II).
Hawaii SNAP Benefits for FY 2027
Hawaii is the one place where SNAP benefits are going down for FY 2027, not up.
The four-person maximum in Hawaii drops to $1,655.
That’s lower than Hawaii’s FY 2026 amount. This doesn’t mean every Hawaii household will see a smaller check — your actual benefit depends on your income and deductions, and those can shift too.
But the ceiling itself is lower. See our Hawaii SNAP eligibility guide for more.
| Household size | Maximum monthly benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $496 |
| 2 | $910 |
| 3 | $1,307 |
| 4 | $1,655 |
| 5 | $1,969 |
| 6 | $2,367 |
| 7 | $2,615 |
| 8 | $2,979 |
| Each additional person | +$364 |
| 18+ people | $6,289 |
Hawaii’s minimum monthly benefit: $40.
Guam and U.S. Virgin Islands SNAP Benefits for FY 2027
Both territories get their own benefit schedules, separate from the 48 states.
Guam
| Household size | Maximum benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $452 |
| 2 | $829 |
| 3 | $1,191 |
| 4 | $1,507 |
| 5 | $1,794 |
| 6 | $2,156 |
| 7 | $2,382 |
| 8 | $2,714 |
| Each additional person | +$331 |
| 18+ people | $5,729 |
Guam’s minimum monthly benefit: $36.
U.S. Virgin Islands
| Household size | Maximum benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $394 |
| 2 | $723 |
| 3 | $1,039 |
| 4 | $1,315 |
| 5 | $1,565 |
| 6 | $1,880 |
| 7 | $2,078 |
| 8 | $2,367 |
| Each additional person | +$289 |
| 18+ people | $4,997 |
U.S. Virgin Islands’ minimum monthly benefit: $32.
Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and CNMI Aren’t in These Tables
If you’re looking for Puerto Rico, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, you won’t find them above. That’s not an oversight.
These three territories don’t run the regular SNAP program. Instead, they operate their own Nutrition Assistance Programs (NAP). NAP benefit amounts, funding, and rules are set separately — they’re not part of this USDA SNAP COLA memo.
If you live in one of these territories, contact your local NAP agency for current benefit information.
SNAP Income Limits for FY 2027
SNAP uses two income tests: gross income and net income.
- Gross income is your total income before any deductions.
- Net income is your income after allowed deductions are subtracted.
Most households need to pass both tests. But some households — like those with an elderly or disabled member — may only need to meet the net income test. And some states use a policy called broad-based categorical eligibility, which can change how the gross income test applies. Your state SNAP agency makes the final call on your case.
For a full breakdown by state, see our SNAP income limits by state page.
48 States, D.C., Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands
| Household size | Net income (100% FPL) | Gross income (130% FPL) | Elderly/disabled separate household (165% FPL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,330 | $1,729 | $2,195 |
| 2 | $1,804 | $2,345 | $2,976 |
| 3 | $2,277 | $2,960 | $3,757 |
| 4 | $2,750 | $3,575 | $4,538 |
| 5 | $3,224 | $4,191 | $5,319 |
| 6 | $3,697 | $4,806 | $6,100 |
| 7 | $4,170 | $5,421 | $6,881 |
| 8 | $4,644 | $6,037 | $7,662 |
| Each additional person | +$474 | +$616 | +$781 |
Alaska Income Limits
| Household size | Net income | Gross income | Elderly/disabled separate household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,663 | $2,162 | $2,744 |
| 2 | $2,255 | $2,931 | $3,720 |
| 3 | $2,846 | $3,700 | $4,696 |
| 4 | $3,438 | $4,469 | $5,672 |
| 5 | $4,030 | $5,238 | $6,649 |
| 6 | $4,621 | $6,008 | $7,625 |
| 7 | $5,213 | $6,777 | $8,601 |
| 8 | $5,805 | $7,546 | $9,577 |
| Each additional person | +$592 | +$770 | +$977 |
Hawaii Income Limits
| Household size | Net income | Gross income | Elderly/disabled separate household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,530 | $1,989 | $2,525 |
| 2 | $2,075 | $2,697 | $3,423 |
| 3 | $2,619 | $3,404 | $4,321 |
| 4 | $3,163 | $4,112 | $5,219 |
| 5 | $3,707 | $4,819 | $6,116 |
| 6 | $4,251 | $5,527 | $7,014 |
| 7 | $4,795 | $6,234 | $7,912 |
| 8 | $5,340 | $6,941 | $8,810 |
| Each additional person | +$545 | +$708 | +$898 |
FY 2027 SNAP Deductions, Minimum Benefits, and Asset Limits
Your maximum allotment isn’t your final benefit. States subtract certain deductions from your income first. Here’s what changed for FY 2027.
Standard Deduction by Household Size
| Area | 1–2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6+ people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 states and D.C. | $217 | $217 | $229 | $268 | $308 |
| Alaska | $371 | $371 | $371 | $371 | $385 |
| Hawaii | $306 | $306 | $306 | $309 | $354 |
| Guam | $435 | $435 | $457 | $536 | $614 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | $191 | $191 | $229 | $268 | $308 |
Shelter and Homeless Deductions
| Area | Max excess shelter deduction | Homeless shelter deduction |
|---|---|---|
| 48 states and D.C. | $769 | $205.66 |
| Alaska | $1,229 | $205.66 |
| Hawaii | $1,036 | $205.66 |
| Guam | $903 | $205.66 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | $606 | $205.66 |
Minimum Monthly Benefit (1–2 person households)
| Area | Minimum benefit |
|---|---|
| 48 states and D.C. | $25 |
| Alaska (Urban) | $31 |
| Alaska (Rural I) | $40 |
| Alaska (Rural II) | $49 |
| Hawaii | $40 |
| Guam | $36 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | $32 |
Asset Limits for FY 2027
Most SNAP households can have up to $3,000 in countable assets. This limit didn’t change from FY 2026.
Households with at least one member age 60 or older, or a member with a disability, can have up to $4,750 in countable assets.
Not every applicant faces this test. Many states use categorical eligibility rules that waive the standard asset limit for certain households. Check with your state agency to see what applies to you.
Curious how the minimum benefit works for small households? See our SNAP minimum benefit guide.
How the FY 2027 COLA Affects Your Actual SNAP Payment
The maximum allotment tables above are a starting point, not a guarantee. Here’s the general idea of how your state figures out your actual benefit.
- Your state calculates your net monthly income, after allowed deductions.
- It assumes your household will spend about 30% of that net income on food.
- Your benefit is roughly: maximum allotment minus 30% of your net income.
Your final number may be rounded, and it can’t fall below your area’s minimum benefit if you qualify for one.
A Simple Example
Say a four-person household in one of the 48 states has $1,000 in countable net monthly income.
$1,023 − (30% × $1,000) = $1,023 − $300 = $723
That’s roughly what this household might receive. This is just an illustration — not an official benefit determination. Your state agency calculates your actual amount based on your full case. To estimate your own benefit, try our SNAP eligibility guide or how to apply for SNAP.
FY 2027 SNAP COLA: Frequently Asked Questions
Did SNAP benefits increase for FY 2027?
Yes, for most of the country. Maximum allotments went up in the 48 contiguous states, D.C., Alaska, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hawaii’s maximum allotments went down. The changes start October 1, 2026.
What’s the maximum SNAP benefit for one person in 2027?
In the 48 contiguous states and D.C., it’s $306 a month. Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands each have their own amount.
What’s the maximum SNAP benefit for a family of four in 2027?
It’s $1,023 a month in the 48 contiguous states and D.C. Other areas have different maximums — see the tables above.
Does everyone get the maximum benefit?
No. The maximum is generally only for households with little or no net income. Most households get less, based on their income and deductions.
When will I actually see the new amount?
The federal rules start October 1, 2026. But your EBT deposit date follows your state’s normal payment schedule, not necessarily October 1 itself.
Does Puerto Rico get this SNAP increase?
No. Puerto Rico runs its own Nutrition Assistance Program instead of regular SNAP, so it’s not part of this COLA update.
Can my state use different income limits?
The federal numbers above are the baseline. But some states use broad-based categorical eligibility, which can change how the gross income test applies to certain households.
This article summarizes federal FY 2027 SNAP COLA standards. It is not an eligibility decision. Contact your state SNAP agency for information about your specific case.
Source: USDA FY 2027 SNAP Cost-of-Living Adjustments memorandum, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Administration, dated August 21, 2026.
