Starting October 1, 2025, the income limits for SNAP eligibility and the maximum monthly benefit amounts for SNAP are both increasing, but the increases are modest.
If you’re receiving the maximum amount of food stamps for your household size, you may see a small increase for the 2026 fiscal year (which starts in October 2025).
There are other updates coming— new SNAP work requirements will likely affect around 1.2 million people nationwide. Here’s what you need to know about the changes coming to your SNAP benefits and whether or not your benefits will go up in 2025-2026.
How much will SNAP benefits increase?#how-much-will-snap-benefits-increase
Every October 1, SNAP adjusts income limits, benefit amounts, and deductions to account for changes in food costs and inflation. These annual “cost-of-living adjustments” (COLA) can increase or decrease your monthly benefits depending on your income, expenses, and household size.
In the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., maximum SNAP benefits will increase slightly starting October 1, 2025. Here’s how that breaks down by household size:
- 1 person: $298 (up $6 from $292)
- 2 people: $546 (up $10 from $536)
- 3 people: $785 (up $17 from $768)
- 4 people: $994 (up $19 from $975)
- 5 people: $1,183 (up $25 from $1,158)
- 6 people: $1,421 (up $31 from $1,390)
- 7 people: $1,571 (up $35 from $1,536)
- 8 people: $1,789 (up $33 from $1,756)
Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories have different SNAP income limits due to higher food costs in those areas. A family of four in Hawaii can get up to $1,689 monthly, while families in Alaska's rural areas can receive up to $1,995.
A four-person household in Guam can receive up to $1,465 per month and a four-person household in the Virgin Islands can get up to $1,278 per month in food stamps.
Will the minimum SNAP benefit amount go up?#will-the-minimum-snap-benefit-amount-go-up
Yes—somewhat. The minimum SNAP benefit will only increase by one dollar, from $23 to $24 per month for one and two-person households in most states.
Are SNAP income limits going up in 2025?#are-snap-income-limits-going-up-in-2025
Yes—the income limits for SNAP eligibility are also increasing for fiscal year 2026, which runs from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. This means more families might qualify for food assistance.
SNAP looks at two types of income to see if you qualify. Your gross income is all the money coming into your household before any taxes or deductions—this includes paychecks, unemployment, Social Security, child support, and any other money you receive.
Your net income is what's left after SNAP subtracts certain expenses like rent, utilities, medical costs, and childcare (these are called “deductions”). Both numbers matter when determining your eligibility and benefit amount.
What are the gross monthly income limits for SNAP?#what-are-the-gross-monthly-income-limits-for-snap
In 48 States, D.C., Guam, and the Virgin Islands:
- 1 person: $1,696 (up from $1,632)
- 2 people: $2,292 (up from $2,215)
- 3 people: $2,888 (up from $2,798)
- 4 people: $3,483 (up from $3,380)
- 5 people: $4,079 (up from $3,963)
- 6 people: $4,675 (up from $4,546)
- 7 people: $5,271 (up from $5,129)
- 8 people: $5,867 (up from $5,712)
- Each additional person: Add $596 (up from $583)
A four-person household in Alaska can qualify for SNAP earning up to $4,354 per month, while a four-person household in Hawaii can qualify earning up to $4,007 per month.
What are the net monthly income limits for SNAP?#what-are-the-net-monthly-income-limits-for-snap
In 48 States, D.C., Guam, and the Virgin Islands:
- 1 person: $1,305 (up from $1,255)
- 2 people: $1,763 (up from $1,704)
- 3 people: $2,221 (up from $2,152)
- 4 people: $2,680 (up from $2,600)
- 5 people: $3,138 (up from $3,049)
- 6 people: $3,596 (up from $3,497)
- 7 people: $4,055 (up from $3,945)
- 8 people: $4,513 (up from $4,394)
Alaska households can earn up to $3,350 for a family of four after deductions, while Hawaii households can earn up to $3,082 after deductions.
Are standard deductions increasing?#are-standard-deductions-increasing
Higher deductions mean your countable income for SNAP benefit calculations will be lower, which could increase your benefits.
48 States and DC:
- 1-3 people: $209 (up from $204)
- 4 people: $223 (up from $217)
- 5 people: $261 (up from $254)
- 6+ people: $299 (up from $291)
Maximum excess shelter deductions:
- 48 States and DC: $744 (up from $712)
- Alaska: $1,189 (up from $1,137)
- Guam: $873 (up from $835)
- Hawaii: $1,003 (up from $959)
- Virgin Islands: $586 (up from $561)
These amounts are taken out of your countable income if your rent and utilities cost more than half your net income.
Homeless shelter deduction: The homeless shelter deduction increased to $198.99 per month (up from $190.30) across all states and territories. This deduction is for SNAP households that don’t have stable housing.
Are SNAP asset limits changing?#are-snap-asset-limits-changing
No, SNAP asset limits remain unchanged:
- $4,500 for households with someone age 60+ or disabled
- $3,000 for all other households
Remember, most states don't have asset limits for SNAP at all.
Are SNAP work requirements changing?#are-snap-work-requirements-changing
Yes—one of the biggest changes coming affects who must prove they’re meeting work requirements in order to keep getting SNAP benefits.
A federal law signed on July 4, 2025 expanded SNAP work requirements to adults ages 55 to 64 without dependent children (ABAWD).
This age group now needs to prove they’re working at least 20 hours per week or participating in approved training programs to receive SNAP benefits for more than three months over three years. Before this change, these ABAWD work requirements only applied to people up to age 54.
Parents whose youngest child is 14 or older must now meet work requirements as well. However, children will continue getting benefits even if their parents lose them because of the new work requirements.
Veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth are other groups that must meet work requirements for the first time.
Remember, if someone in your household loses SNAP eligibility due to work requirements, your family’s total benefit amount will drop significantly.
Are SNAP utility deductions changing?#are-snap-utility-deductions-changing
The same federal law passed this past summer also takes away the Heating and Cooling Standard Utility Allowance from households that don’t have someone who is age 60 or older or has a disability.
Additionally, utility expense calculations are changing and more households will need to submit actual utility bills in place of the standard estimates. If your household’s actual utility bills are lower than the estimates, your SNAP benefits may go down.
Will SNAP benefits keep increasing every year?#will-snap-benefits-keep-increasing-every-year
New rules introduced in the federal law passed in July 2025 also limit how much SNAP benefits can increase each year.
Going forward, benefit amounts can only rise due to inflation, and a reevaluation of the benefit calculation is not allowed until October 1, 2027.
