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SNAP benefit amounts went up on October 1, 2026. A single person can get up to $306 a month. A family of four can get up to $1,023. These are the maximums for the 48 states and D.C., from the USDA’s fiscal 2027 cost-of-living memo. Most households get less than the maximum. The amount depends on income and deductions.
SNAP benefit amounts by household size
| Household size | Maximum monthly benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $306 |
| 2 people | $562 |
| 3 people | $808 |
| 4 people | $1,023 |
| 5 people | $1,217 |
| 6 people | $1,463 |
| 7 people | $1,616 |
| 8 people | $1,841 |
These are the maximums for the 48 states and D.C. from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. The USDA lists $225 for each additional person in households of 9 to 17. The minimum benefit is $25 for households of one or two people. Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Virgin Islands have their own tables.
Income limits for fiscal 2027
Most households must meet a gross income limit and a net income limit. Gross income is before deductions. Net income is after them.
| Household size | Gross monthly limit | Net monthly limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $1,729 | $1,330 |
| 2 people | $2,345 | $1,804 |
| 3 people | $2,960 | $2,277 |
| 4 people | $3,575 | $2,750 |
The gross limit is 130% of the federal poverty level. The net limit is 100% of it. Some households, such as those with an older adult or a person with a disability, follow different rules. A state agency makes the final decision.
How your benefit is figured
SNAP benefit amounts are not flat payments. They change with each household’s income, size and costs.
SNAP starts with the maximum for your household size. It then subtracts about 30% of your net monthly income. The result is your monthly benefit. The logic is that a household is expected to spend part of its own income on food.
Here is an example. A single person with $600 in net monthly income would owe about $180 toward food, which is 30% of $600. The maximum for one person is $306. Subtracting $180 leaves about $126. This is an illustration of the formula, not a prediction for any one person.
Deductions that lower net income
The USDA memo lists the deduction amounts for fiscal 2027. The standard deduction is $217 for households of one to three people. It is $229 for four people, $268 for five and $308 for six or more. The maximum excess shelter deduction is $769 a month.
The shelter deduction applies when housing costs are high compared with income. Higher deductions mean lower net income. Lower net income means a larger benefit. Households with high rent or utility bills should list them on the application. Winter bills are a common example, and the Jolt Journal’s guide to winter heating costs shows what households may pay this season.
What changed on October 1
The USDA adjusts SNAP maximums each fiscal year to reflect the cost of food. The memo is dated August 21, 2026, and it sets the amounts for the year that began October 1. The same memo resets the deductions and the income limits listed above.
How to apply
SNAP is run by state agencies. You apply through your state’s benefits office or its online portal. The agency asks for proof of identity, income and certain expenses. It then decides whether you qualify and how much you will get.
The amounts above apply to benefits issued from October 1. If your state has not yet updated your case, ask your caseworker how the new amounts affect you.
Use the new SNAP benefit amounts in your budget
Higher SNAP benefit amounts at the top end do not always raise your check. If your income rose, your benefit may stay flat or fall even though the maximum went up. Check your next notice from your state agency for the exact figure.
For help placing food costs in a monthly plan, the Jolt Journal’s guide on how to make a budget in one evening walks through the steps.
