SNAP delivers core food assistance to low-income households in the United States. Prospective applicants are concerned about the monthly income limits for SNAP in 2024. The limits are based on household size and state.
Federal income limits
For fiscal year 2024, the gross income limits for SNAP are the following:
- 1-person household: $1,580
- 2-person household: $2,137
- 3-person household: $2,694
- 4-person household: $3,250
- 5-person household: $3,807
- 6-person household: $4,364
- 7-person household: $4,921
- 8-person household: $5,478
For each additional member, $557 is added to the gross income limit.
State-specific variances
While these limits hold in the 48 contiguous states along with the District of Columbia, Alaska and Hawaii have higher thresholds, for obvious reasons of drastic economic variation. For example, in Alaska, the income limit for a one-person household is near $2,000; in Hawaii, it can be as high as $2,500 for the same household size.
Net income limits
Besides the gross income limits, SNAP considers net income, which is the gross income minus allowable deductions, including housing and childcare costs. Generally, net income limits are usually pegged at 100 percent of the federal poverty level, which is as follows:
- 1 person: $1,133
- 2 people: $1,526
- 3 people: $1,920
- 4 people: $2,313
- 5 people: $2,706
- 6 people: $3,100
- 7 people: $3,493
- 8 people: $3,886.
Categorical eligibility
Some households can be eligible for SNAP without passing the gross income test because they are categorically eligible. This includes households with members who receive benefits from programs such as TANF or SSI and those with elderly or disabled members.
How do income limits vary by state
The limits on income eligibility for SNAP in 2024 vary across states as follows:
- The gross monthly income limit, for a household of 4, is $3,250, which is 130% of poverty, and the net monthly income limit is $2,500, which is 100% of poverty, for the 48 contiguous states and D.C.
- The income limits are higher in Alaska. For example, the gross monthly income limit for a household of 4 is about $4,000, while the net monthly income limit is about $3,000.
- Similarly, in Hawaii, the gross monthly income limit for a household of 4 comes out to be approximately $3,750, and the net monthly income limit comes out to be approximately $2,900.
- Some states have adopted “broad-based categorical eligibility” that allows them to boost the income limits or get rid of asset tests for most households. It basically means that households whose incomes are a little above the federal limits may still qualify for SNAP in those states.
- Only the net income limit must be met for households with elderly or disabled members. Households receiving TANF, SSI, or other assistance may be categorically eligible for SNAP regardless of income.
Logically, the federal income limits are based on this, but there is latitude provided at the state level to raise these thresholds, especially in households with special circumstances or in states that have adopted BBCE policies.
