At a glance
- Who it's for
- People with low income who meet the citizenship or immigration rules. Working families, older adults and people with disabilities can all qualify.
- What you get
- Money for food on an EBT card, added each month. From October 1, 2026, the most a household of 4 can get is $1,023 a month. In 2025 the average was about $189 a month per person.
- How long it takes
- Your state must decide within 30 days. If you have very little money, you may get benefits within 7 days.
- Where to apply
- With your state's SNAP office: online, by phone, by mail or in person.
Who can get SNAP
Income
Most households must have income before taxes (gross income) at or below these amounts. The amounts below apply from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027, in the 48 states and Washington, DC.
| People in your household | Monthly income limit (before taxes) | Most you can get each month |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,729 | $306 |
| 2 | $2,345 | $562 |
| 3 | $2,960 | $808 |
| 4 | $3,575 | $1,023 |
Through September 30, 2026, the most a household of 4 could get was $994. Alaska and Hawaii have higher amounts. Many states use higher income limits, and households with someone 60 or older or with a disability have different rules. If you are close, apply anyway.
Citizenship and immigration
A 2025 law, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, changed who can get SNAP. Now only these groups can qualify:
- U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals
- Lawful permanent residents (green card holders), often after a waiting period
- Cuban and Haitian entrants
- Citizens of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau living in the U.S. under the Compacts of Free Association (COFA)
Refugees and people granted asylum no longer qualify because of that status alone. Children who are U.S. citizens can get SNAP even when their parents cannot, and a parent can apply for the children without applying for themselves. Family members who are not applying do not have to say what their immigration status is, but the office will ask about their income.
Work rules
Most adults who can work must register for work and accept a suitable job if offered. Some adults without children in the home must also work, train or volunteer at least 80 hours a month to get SNAP for more than 3 months in 3 years. The 2025 law widened who these rules cover, and your state will tell you if they apply to you.
What to bring
Gather what you can. You do not need everything to start.
- Photo ID for the person applying: driver's license, state ID or passport
- Social Security numbers for each person applying
- Proof of income for the last 30 days: pay stubs, benefit letters or a letter from your employer
- Proof of where you live: a lease, a utility bill or mail with your address
- Proof of costs: rent or mortgage, utility bills, child care, child support you pay, and medical bills for anyone 60 or older or disabled
- Immigration papers for anyone applying who is not a U.S. citizen
- Bank statements if your state asks for them
Make a printable SNAP checklist
Missing a paper? Apply anyway. An application with just your name, address and signature holds your place. Benefits count from the day you apply, and the office tells you what else it needs.
Apply in your state
Each state runs its own SNAP program, and some call it by a different name. Pick your state to go straight to its official application.
State links come from the USDA SNAP State Directory and were checked on September 29, 2026. See every state on the USDA site (opens in a new tab)
How to apply, step by step
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Start your application
Use your state's website (above), call, mail a paper form or go to a local office. Online is usually fastest. Use an email and phone number you check often.
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List your household
Include everyone who lives with you and buys and cooks food with you. A roommate who buys their own food is usually a separate household.
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Report your income
Give income for everyone in the household before taxes: wages, self-employment, Social Security, SSI, disability, unemployment and child support you receive.
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Report your costs
These can raise your benefit: rent or mortgage, utilities, child care so you can work or study, child support you pay, and medical costs over $35 a month for someone 60 or older or disabled.
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Send your papers
Most states let you upload photos of your papers. You can also fax, mail or drop them off. Make sure every page is readable.
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Do your interview
A worker checks your household, income and costs, usually by phone. Keep your phone close. If you miss the call, call your SNAP worker back right away.
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Get your EBT card
If you are approved, you get an EBT card that works like a debit card for food at most grocery stores, many farmers markets and some online stores. Money is added each month on a set date.
Common questions
How long does approval take?
Up to 30 days. You may get benefits within 7 days if your household has very little income or money in the bank, or if your rent and utilities cost more than your income and savings.
What if I'm turned down?
Read the letter to see why. You can ask for a fair hearing within 90 days. Common reasons are missing papers, a missed interview, or income over the limit. You can also apply again at any time.
Do I have to be a U.S. citizen?
No, but the rules changed in 2025. See citizenship and immigration above. Children who are U.S. citizens can get SNAP even when their parents cannot.
Will SNAP affect an immigration application?
It can. The rules changed on September 18, 2026. Under a new Department of Homeland Security rule, officers can now look at SNAP, Medicaid and other benefits a person gets on or after that date when that person applies for a green card or to enter the U.S. Benefits received before September 18, 2026 are generally not counted.
Benefits that other family members get, such as children who are U.S. citizens, are treated differently from benefits you get yourself. These rules do not apply to everyone, and every case is different. Talk to a free immigration legal aid group before you decide.
Find free immigration legal help near you (opens in a new tab)
How much will I get?
It depends on your household size, income and costs. SNAP expects a household to spend about 30% of its income (after costs are taken off) on food, and pays the rest up to the maximum. From October 1, 2026, the maximum is $306 a month for 1 person and $1,023 for 4.
Can I get SNAP if I have a job?
Yes. Many people who get SNAP work. What matters is your household's income and costs.
Figures on this page were checked on September 29, 2026 against the official sources below. Rules change, and your state makes the final decision.
Sources
- USDA: SNAP cost-of-living adjustments for 2027 (opens in a new tab)
- USDA: SNAP data tables (opens in a new tab)
- USDA: SNAP eligibility for non-citizens under the 2025 law (opens in a new tab)
- USDA: SNAP work requirements (opens in a new tab)
- Federal Register: Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility (2026) (opens in a new tab)