The basic rules for SNAP

SNAP may be able to access depends on your household income, the number of people you live with, and your citizenship or immigration status. There is no single income cutoff that works everywhere — it changes based on family size and your state. Most households must have a gross monthly income at or below 130% of the federal poverty line, though some states set their own limits higher or lower.

You must be a U.S. citizen or a may have access to non-citizen to receive SNAP. may have access to non-citizens include lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and people with certain other immigration statuses. Undocumented immigrants are not able to receive SNAP, with rare exceptions for children and emergency situations that vary by state.

Your state's SNAP office makes the final decision about whether you meet the rules. Income limits, resource limits, and what counts as income all vary slightly from state to state, so the threshold in one state may not be the same as in another.

Key Takeaways

  • Most households must have a gross monthly income at or below 130% of the federal poverty line, though your state may have different limits.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or a may have access to non-citizen, which includes lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.
  • Your household size, not just your income, determines whether you meet the income limit.
  • Each state runs its own SNAP program and may have slightly different rules about income, resources, and what counts as earned or unearned money.
  • Work requirements exist in most states, though exemptions apply to children, elderly people, and people with disabilities.

Income limits by household size

The federal poverty line changes each year, and SNAP uses 130% of that line as the standard income cutoff for most households. A household of one person has a different limit than a household of four. The more people in your household, the higher your total income can be and still meet the threshold.

Your state may use a different percentage or may have its own income limits. Some states use 160% or 200% of the poverty line instead of 130%. A few states have raised their limits to help more households. You need to check your specific state's rules, because the number that matters is the one your state uses, not the federal standard.

Income includes wages from a job, self-employment earnings, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, and most other money coming into your household. Some income does not count — for example, the first $20 of unearned income per month is usually excluded, and certain types of student aid or energy assistance do not count.

Resource limits and what they mean

SNAP also has a resource limit — a cap on how much money and property your household can own and still be may be able to access. The federal limit is $2,250 for most households and $3,500 for households with a member who is 60 or older or has a disability. Some states have raised or eliminated their resource limits.

Resources include cash, bank accounts, stocks, and vehicles. Your home and the land it sits on do not count. One vehicle per household usually does not count either, though the rules vary by state. If you own a second car, its value may count against your limit.

The resource limit is separate from the income limit. You can have a low income but too many resources, or a higher income but few resources. Both must fall within your state's rules.

Work requirements and exemptions

Most states require able-bodied adults without dependents to work or participate in a work program to receive SNAP. The requirement is usually 20 hours per week, though states can set different hours. If you do not meet the work requirement, your benefits may be limited to three months in a three-year period.

Many people are exempt from work requirements. Children under 16, people 60 and older, people with disabilities, pregnant people, and people caring for a child or disabled person usually do not have to meet the work requirement. Parents with a child under six may have a reduced requirement or an exemption. Each state defines these exemptions slightly differently.

If you lose your job or cannot work, you may be able to show hardship and get a temporary exemption. Your state's SNAP office can tell you whether you may have access to for an exemption and what you need to show to prove it.

Citizenship and immigration status

U.S. citizens are always may be able to access for SNAP if they meet the income and resource requirements. may have access to non-citizens — including lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, people granted withholding of removal, and certain other statuses — can also receive SNAP. The rules about which immigration statuses count have changed over time and vary by state.

Undocumented immigrants cannot receive SNAP in most cases. Some states have created their own programs using state funds to help undocumented immigrants, but these are separate from SNAP. A few states allow emergency SNAP for undocumented children in specific situations.

If you are unsure about your immigration status and how it affects your may be able to access, bring your immigration documents to your state's SNAP office. Staff there can review your status and tell you whether you can receive benefits.

How to learn about you meet the rules

The fastest way to learn whether you meet your state's rules is to contact your state's SNAP office directly. You can find the office by searching "[your state] SNAP office" or by calling 211, which connects you to local resources. Many states also have online screening tools on their SNAP websites that ask you questions and give you an answer in minutes.

When you contact your state office, have ready: your household size, your monthly income from all sources, and your immigration status. If you have a disability or are caring for someone who does, mention that too. The office can tell you whether you likely meet the rules and what documents you will need to bring if you decide to move forward.

Income and resources change, so even if you did not meet the rules in the past, you may meet them now. It is worth checking again if your situation has changed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my immigration status automatically disqualify me?

Not if you are a lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or have certain other may have access to statuses. Undocumented immigrants cannot receive SNAP in most states. Contact your state's SNAP office with your immigration documents to find out whether your specific status qualifies.

If I work part-time, can I still get SNAP?

Yes. SNAP is based on your household's total income, not whether you work. If your income is low enough to meet your state's limit, you can receive benefits even if you have a job. Part-time work counts as income, so your benefits may be lower than if you were not working.

Do I have to own a home to be may be able to access?

No. Renters, people in shelters, and people living with family can all receive SNAP. Your housing status does not affect your may be able to access. What matters is your income, household size, and citizenship or immigration status.

What happens if my income goes up after I start receiving SNAP?

You must report the income change to your state's SNAP office. Your benefits may decrease or stop depending on how much your income increased. If you do not report the change, you may be overpaid and asked to repay the difference.

Can a student get SNAP?

Students can receive SNAP if they meet the income and resource limits. Some students are exempt from work requirements. Rules about student income and work-study vary by state, so contact your state's SNAP office to learn how your student status affects your may be able to access.