What is the 2025 income limit for food stamps?
Key Takeaways
- The SNAP office checks food stamps eligibility based on household size, income, and in some states, resources. Other eligibility factors include having a qualified immigration status, fulfilling work requirements, and not having program disqualifications.
- The federal government updates food stamp income limits, resource limits, and other eligibility factors on October 1 each year.
- Further updates to SNAP eligibility will be taking place later this year and into 2026 — read more about the impacts of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” at our blog here.
- Anyone interested in learning more about their SNAP eligibility can complete mRelief's food stamp eligibility calculator in less than 3 minutes.
Who is eligible for food stamps?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the official name for the United States food stamps program. Through the SNAP program, 53 states and territories provide eligible low-income households with funds for food each month. People receiving SNAP can use those funds to buy food at grocery stores and other approved food outlets. Households include everyone who lives together and eats most of their meals together. Households must meet all eligibility rules before the state provides them with food stamps.
💡Quick Tip: Who to include on a SNAP application
Applications should include everyone who lives together and eats meals together. The following household members are required to be included together on an application:
- Spouses and children ages 21 and under who live together must be on one SNAP application.
- Children under age 18 who live with other family members or caretakers must be on one SNAP application.
Income Limit for Food Stamps
The gross income limit for food stamps is between 130% to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Both earned and unearned income is included in the calculation of gross household income. Earned income is the amount shown on a paystub or other wage document before taxes or other deductions are removed. Unearned income also counts. That includes social security payments, child support payments, retirement account withdrawals, and most other sources of money. The table below shows the income limit for each household size. It includes each federal poverty level currently used by SNAP offices to determine eligibility for food stamps.
2025 Food Stamps Monthly Gross Income Limit Table
(October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026)
| Household Size | 130% | 160% | 165% | 185% | 200% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,697 | $2,088 | $2,153 | $2,414 | $2,610 |
| 2 | $2,292 | $2,821 | $2,909 | $3,262 | $3,526 |
| 3 | $2,887 | $3,554 | $3,665 | $4,109 | $4,442 |
| 4 | $3,484 | $4,288 | $4,422 | $4,958 | $5,360 |
| 5 | $4,079 | $5,021 | $5,178 | $5,805 | $6,276 |
| 6 | $4,675 | $5,754 | $5,933 | $6,653 | $7,192 |
| 7 | $5,272 | $6,488 | $6,691 | $7,502 | $8,110 |
| 8 | $5,867 | $7,221 | $7,446 | $8,349 | $9,026 |
Note: Alaska and Hawaii use a different calculation for the federal poverty level.
Visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/fy-2025-cola for more information.
What is the Income Limit for Food Stamps in Each State?
Seven states and territories use the federal income and asset limits for the SNAP program to decide whether a household is eligible for food stamps. Forty-four states and territories use a different income and/or asset limit through a policy called Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility. You can use the table below, in combination with the table above, to quickly check if your household meets the gross income limit . Another way to find out if you are eligible for food stamps is to use mRelief’s quick SNAP eligibility calculator at mrelief.com. You can also text the word ‘Food’ or ‘Comida’ to 74544.
Updated State Gross Income and Asset Limit Table for SNAP
As of October 14, 2025
| State/Territory | Income Limit (% FPL) | Asset Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama (AL) | 130% | No limit for most |
| Alaska (AK) | 200% of the Alaska Poverty Level |
No limit for most |
| Arizona (AZ) | 185% | No limit |
| Arkansas (AR) If the household has a member age 60+ or with a disability |
165% | $5,500 |
| Arkansas (AR) If the household does not have a member age 60+ or with a disability |
130% | $5,500 |
| California (CA) | 200% | No limit for most |
| Colorado (CO) | 200% | No limit for most |
| Connecticut (CT) | 200% | No limit |
| Delaware (DE) | 200% | No limit |
| Washington DC (DC) | 200% | No limit |
| Florida (FL) | 200% | No limit for most |
| Georgia (GA) | 130% | No limit for most |
| Guam (GU) | 165% | No limit |
| Hawaii (HI) | 200% | No limit |
| Idaho (ID) | 130% | $5,000 |
| Illinois (IL) | 165% | No limit for most |
| Indiana (IN) | 130% | $5,000 |
| Iowa (IA) | 160% | No limit |
| Kansas (KS) | 130% | $3,000 $4,500 for households with at least one elderly or disabled member |
| Kentucky (KY) | 200% | No limit for most |
| Louisiana (LA) | 200% | No limit |
| Maine (ME) | 200% | No limit |
| Maryland (MD) | 200% | No limit |
| Massachusetts (MA) | 200% | No limit for most |
| Michigan (MI) | 200% | No limit |
| Minnesota (MN) | 200% | No limit |
| Mississippi (MS) | 130% | $3,000 $4,500 for households with at least one elderly or disabled member |
| Missouri (MO) | 130% | $3,000 $4,500 for households with at least one elderly or disabled member |
| Montana (MT) | 200% | No limit |
| Nebraska (NE) | 165% | $25,000 |
| Nevada (NV) | 200% | No limit |
| New Hampshire (NH) | 200% | No limit |
| New Jersey (NJ) | 185% | No limit |
| New Mexico (NM) | 200% | No limit |
| New York (NY) If earning income |
150% with earned income | No limit for most |
| New York (NY) If the household has a member 60 or older or has a disability, and is over the gross income limit |
200% | No limit for most |
| New York (NY) All other applicants |
130% | No limit for most |
| North Carolina (NC) | 200% | No limit |
| North Dakota (ND) | 200% | No limit |
| Ohio (OH) | 130% | No limit for most |
| Oklahoma (OK) | 130% | No limit |
| Oregon (OR) | 200% | No limit |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | 200% | No limit for most |
| Rhode Island (RI) | 185% | No limit for most |
| South Carolina (SC) | 130% | No limit for most |
| South Dakota (SD) | 130% | $3,000 $4,500 for households with at least one elderly or disabled member |
| Tennessee (TN) | 130% | $3,000 $4,500 for households with at least one elderly or disabled member |
| Texas (TX) | 165% | $5,000 (excludes 1 vehicle up to $22,000 & includes excess vehicle value) |
| Utah (UT) | 130% | $3,000 $4,500 for households with at least one elderly or disabled member |
| Vermont (VT) | 185% | No limit |
| Virgin Islands (VI) | 175% | No limit for most |
| Virginia (VA) | 200% | No limit |
| Washington (WA) | 200% | No limit |
| West Virginia (WV) | 200% | No limit for most |
| Wisconsin (WI) | 200% | No limit |
| Wyoming (WY) | 130% | $3,000 $4,500 for households with at least one elderly or disabled member |
Note: Visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/broad-based-categorical-eligibility for more information.
What is the Asset Limit for Food Stamps in Each State?
In most cases, the SNAP program defines an asset as any resource that has accessible value. That means cash on hand, money in bank accounts, and any resource that can be easily sold. Some resources are excluded. Retirement and education savings accounts do not count. The value of a home where the applicant lives never counts. The value of a vehicle or vehicles sometimes counts.
The table above shows the asset limit for each state and territory. In many places, there is no limit on resources for people under the income limit.
Some states and territories have a special asset rule for households with elderly or disabled household members. This rule exists to close a loophole because these households do not need to be under the gross income limit. That special rule requires households with elderly or disabled members with incomes above 200% FPL to pass an asset test. This rule only applies to a small portion of households applying for SNAP benefits.
Are there Other Requirements for Food Stamps Eligibility?
Other eligibility rules include things like having a qualified immigration status, fulfilling work requirements, and not having program disqualifications. mRelief can quickly help you find out if you likely qualifyand in some cases can even help you apply.
🔍 SNAP Eligibility in Illinois compared to Indiana
Bert and Ernie want to apply together for SNAP benefits. They are both in their 40s and currently live in Illinois. They are considering moving to Indiana. This example shows how theireligibility for benefits based on their income and available resources would change if they move.
Illinois Indiana $2,500
Monthly Gross IncomeEligible
under $2,909 a month;
165% FPLNot Eligible
over $2,292 a month;
130% FPL$6,000
Assets in Bank AccountsEligible
no asset limit for mostNot Eligible
$5,000 asset limit
How to apply for food stamps
To apply for SNAP, households must complete a food stamps application. The process looks like this:
- Step 1. Complete an application in person, over the phone, online, or on a paper form that is then emailed, faxed, or mailed to the local SNAP office.
- Step 2. Wait. The SNAP office has 30 days* after you submit your application to provide a response. (*Sometimes SNAP offices are behind and may take longer to provide a response.)
- Step 3. Interview over the phone or in person with the SNAP office. This is required unless the state has federal approval to skip the interview.
- Step 4. Receive a decision. If you are approved, you will receive an EBT card in the mail. The state will load your EBT card with funds each month. You can then use your EBT card to buy food at approved stores.
Does mRelief offer help to apply for food stamps?
mRelief has partnered with local community based organizations in many areas of the country to provide SNAP application and enrollment assistance. Simply complete our eligibility calculator and select the option 'Apply with Assistance', if it is available. From there you can schedule an appointment to apply for food stamps over the phone with a trusted community partner.
In some areas we also offer an option to apply on your own using a simple application through our website. That application includes tips and can be completed in less than 15 minutes. Often, we can also help you upload documents over text message with your application.
