To be eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, formerly known as food stamps, you must meet certain qualifying conditions, such as the income level you bring in.
The program imposes limits on both net and gross monthly income, as well as family size.
To attain net monthly income eligibility requirements, your income must be below the US poverty level.
SNAP Benefits Income Requirements
For gross monthly income eligibility standards, your income must be no more than 130% of the poverty level. The highest income levels for the fiscal year 2023 went into effect on Oct. 1, 2022.
SNAP is a federal program that helps low-income families buy food. Despite being part of the US Department of Agriculture, the program is managed at the state level. Instead of physical food stamps, recipients now receive Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to pay for food.
The USDA announced in an August memorandum that maximum SNAP allotments would be increased for the 48 states and the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, and Alaska.
Benefits will be $939 for a family of four receiving the maximum allotment in the 48 states and DC. Maximum allowances for a family of four will rise from $1,172 to $1,819 in Alaska, $1,794 in Hawaii, $1,385 in Guam, and $1,208 in the United States Virgin Islands.
The minimum benefit for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia will rise to $23; it will also increase in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the US Virgin Islands.
Read more: Your check for the COLA increase will be deposited this month
Monthly Income Standards Per State
Here are the net monthly income standards the for fiscal year 2023, which show the maximum monthly income for SNAP eligibility:
| Household Size | 48 Contiguous States, DC, Guam, Virgin
Islands |
Alaska | Hawaii |
| 1 | $1,133 | $1,416 | $1,303 |
| 2 | $1,526 | $1,908 | $1,755 |
| 3 | $1,920 | $2,400 | $2,208 |
| 4 | $2,313 | $2,891 | $2,660 |
| 5 | $2,706 | $3,383 | $3,113 |
| 6 | $3,100 | $3,875 | $3,565 |
| 7 | $3,493 | $4,366 | $4,018 |
| 8 | $3,886 | $4,858 | $4,470 |
| Each additional member | $394 | $492 | $453 |
| Household Size | 48 Contiguous States, DC, Guam, Virgin
Islands |
Alaska | Hawaii |
| 1 | $1,473 | $1,841 | $1,694 |
| 2 | $1,984 | $2,480 | $2,282 |
| 3 | $2,495 | $3,119 | $2,870 |
| 4 | $3,007 | $3,759 | $3,458 |
| 5 | $3,518 | $4,398 | $4,047 |
| 6 | $4,029 | $5,037 | $4,635 |
| 7 | $4,541 | $5,676 | $5,223 |
| 8 | $5,052 | $6,315 | $5,811 |
| Each additional member | $512 | $640 | $589 |
Read more: Stimulus check update: Be ready, there is $600 or more rewards for Californian residents
