By The Epoch Times | Created at 2026-09-28 18:28:47 | Updated at 2026-09-28 21:03:42
3 hours ago
People who receive food stamps through the federal program may be eligible for more money as adjustments take effect on Oct. 1—the start of the new fiscal year.
Updates to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) include the maximum amount of food stamps a household can receive.
The cost of living changes are made annually, in compliance with the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.
Here’s what to know.
Eligibility Levels Shift
It is slightly easier to qualify for SNAP under updated income eligibility levels.
A single person making up to $1,330 a month, and households earning up to $2,750 a month, in most states can still receive SNAP. That’s up from $1,305 and $2,680, respectively.
The following table lists the new net monthly income eligibility limit, which equals poverty level after taking away allowable deductions. The limits in Alaska and Hawaii are higher.
USDA via The Epoch Times
The next table outlines the gross income monthly income eligibility limit, or 130 percent of the poverty level for total income prior to any deductions made.
USDA via The Epoch Times
People cannot receive SNAP unless they fall under both the net income and gross income limits.
When households contain an elderly or disabled person, the limits are even higher. The following table lists those limits.
USDA via The Epoch Times
Maximum Allotment Increases
SNAP benefits vary, depending on factors such as income, assets, and household size. The maximum allotment, or the maximum amount of benefits a household can receive, is increasing as part of the new changes.
The lowest payment cap, for a single person in the lower 48 states and the District of Columbia, was $298. It’s now $306.
The maximum monthly allotment for a family of four in the nation’s capital or the lower 48 states was $994. It’s going up to $1,023.
Families of larger sizes in those states and Washington could receive up to $3,777 per month; they are now eligible for up to $3,887.
The numbers are different for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
For four-member households, in those states and territories, the maximum monthly payment ranges from $1,315 to $2,027. The cap on payments is $4,997 in the U.S. Virgin Islands; $5,729 in Guam; $6,289 in Hawaii; and $7,705 in Alaska.
Deductions Change
People can deduct from their income before seeing if they’re eligible for food stamps.
The standard deduction was $184 to $598, depending on place of residence and family size. That’s rising to $191 to $614.
If a households spends more than half of its income on shelter or associated costs, then they can deduct the extra money they pay. The associated costs include utilities and mortgage interest.
The maximum shelter deduction was $744 in the lower 48 states and the District of Columbia, and ranged from $586 to $1,189 elsewhere.
Starting Oct. 1, the deduction will be $769 for most places, $606 in the U.S. Virgin Islands, $903 in Guam, $1,036 in Hawaii, and $1,229 in Alaska.
Asset Limit Largely Unchanged
People with a certain amount of assets cannot receive food stamps under SNAP.
The limit has been $3,000 in general. That limit is remaining unchanged.
For households where at least one person is disabled, or at least 60 years of age, the limit is $4,500.
That limit is increasing to $4,750.
Certain assets are not counted under SNAP, including homes, certain vehicles, and most retirement plans.
