What is the income limit for food stamps by state? Full list
Benefits from the Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have become increasingly important as inflationary pressure pushes up grocery bills.
Every month millions of households receive Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to help with essential grocery bills. SNAP benefits give families vital funds to pay for food and more people are using the system than ever before.
Across the country 1 in 7 American families are currently enrolled in the program, a number that rose substantially during the pandemic.
In recent months rising inflation has exacerbated concerns regarding household finances and SNAP benefits have received a boost in funding for 2022. The average benefit will increase, providing a slight reprieve for many. However SNAP is distributed through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which prevent families from shopping at certain stores and limits the products that can be bought with the payments.
Who is eligible for SNAP benefits?
Eligibility for SNAP benefits is primarily based on the household income and resources, because the program is designed to support those who are struggling financially.
Federal rules dictate that recipients must satisfy three tests:
- Gross monthly income - Household income must be at or below 130% of the Federal Povery Line (FPL), which equates to $2,379 per month for a family of three. The threshold is higher for larger families.
- Net income - Once all deductions are applied, this figure must not exceed the FPL.
- Assets - Households may have assets worth no more than $2,500, or $3,750 if they have a member with a disability or who is aged 60 or older.
For more information on what qualifies as income and as an asset, head over to the SNAP Eligibility Guide.
What are the SNAP income limits for 2022?
For families of four people living in the 48 contiguous US states, including the District of Columbia, the maximum allocation for the year will be $835.
For families of four people living elsewhere in the US, the maximum is $1,667 in Alaska, while those in Hawaii can receive a maximum of $1,573.
In two US dependencies, families in Guam can receive a maximum of $1,231, while those in the US Virgin Islands can receive up to $1,074, the same as the minimum in Alaska.
Since March 2020, the federal government approved an expansion of SNAP benefits. This expansion ensures that recipients of SNAP benefits automatically receive the maximum allotted value, if their state meets certain criteria.
To find if you are eligible to receive the maximum SNAP value, check the website of your state.