Millions of Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will face changes to their benefit amounts and eligibility requirements from October 1, 2026.
SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps, provides financial assistance to lower-income households to help them purchase groceries. The benefits are deposited monthly onto recipients’ Electronic Benefit Transfer cards.
The new rules will affect an estimated 37 million beneficiaries, with most households expected to receive slightly higher maximum benefits following the annual cost-of-living adjustment.
However, recipients in Hawaii will see a reduction in the maximum amount available to them.
The changes will also affect the income thresholds used to determine who qualifies for assistance, with limits varying according to household size, state, age and disability status.
How is eligibility changing?
SNAP eligibility is determined largely by a household’s income and assets.
Generally, households can qualify for at least some SNAP assistance if their gross monthly income is no more than 130 per cent of the federal poverty level.
From October, that threshold will be $1,729 for an individual and $3,575 for a household of four.
The net monthly income limits will be lower, at $1,330 for an individual and $2,750 for a family of four.
For able-bodied, non-elderly SNAP recipients, the new gross income limits are:
Household size Gross monthly income limit in 48 states, DC, Guam and Virgin Islands Gross monthly income limit in Alaska Gross monthly income limit in Hawaii
1 $1,729 $2,162 $1,989
2 $2,345 $2,931 $2,697
3 $2,960 $3,700 $3,404
4 $3,575 $4,469 $4,112
5 $4,191 $5,238 $4,819
6 $4,806 $6,008 $5,527
7 $5,421 $6,777 $6,234
8 $6,037 $7,546 $6,941
Each additional person: $616 $770 $708
Different income rules apply to households with elderly or disabled members.
The asset limit, however, will remain unchanged. Most households will continue to have an asset limit of $3,000, while households with someone who is disabled or aged 60 and above will have a limit of $4,750.
How are benefits changing?
The maximum monthly SNAP benefit is also being adjusted from October to reflect changes in the cost of food.
The amount available to a household depends on where it lives. In the 48 contiguous states and Washington, DC, a family of four will have a new maximum monthly benefit of $1,023.
The changes in maximum SNAP benefits for recipients in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, DC, are:
Household size Maximum benefit starting Oct. 1, 2026 Maximum benefit before Oct. 1
1 $306 $298
2 $562 $546
3 $808 $785
4 $1,023 $994
5 $1,217 $1,183
6 $1,463 $1,421
7 $1,616 $1,571
8 $1,841 $1,789
Each additional person $225 $218
Residents of Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the US Virgin Islands receive higher maximum benefits because of the higher cost of groceries in those areas.
For example, a family of four living in rural Alaska will be eligible for a maximum benefit of $2,027 from October.
Hawaii is the exception to the general increase, with maximum SNAP benefits declining slightly. A household of four in the state will have a new maximum of $1,655.
The adjustments broadly reflect inflation and rising food costs. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the cost of food purchased for consumption at home had increased by about 2.7 per cent year-on-year, while overall inflation stood at 3.4 per cent.
The new SNAP benefit amounts and eligibility requirements will remain in effect from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
