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US benefits · SNAP maximum allotments, FY2027

SNAP through September 30, 2026: up to $994 a month for a household of four — the full table by size

A SNAP household of four gained $19 in October 2025, the last change before the next scheduled adjustment on October 2026. For the current period, the maximum allotment for that household is $994 a month in the contiguous states and the District of Columbia.

By Published · Updated · 1 min read

The short answer

Short answer

$19 was added to the maximum monthly allotment for a household of four when the current schedule began in October 2025. The next scheduled effective date is October 2026.

  • $994Maximum for a household of four
  • $298Maximum for a household of one
  • $1,789Maximum for a household of eight
  • $24Minimum benefit for smaller households

Your situation

Check your SNAP situation

Use your household size, income, and circumstances to frame which limits matter. Your state makes the eligibility decision.

Who is in your SNAP household?
Where does your household live?
Monthly net income

Current maximums

Current maximum SNAP allotments

For the contiguous states and the District of Columbia, the current maximum is $298 a month for a household of one, $546 a month for a household of two, $785 a month for a household of three, and $994 a month for a household of four. The schedule remains valid through September 2026.

Larger households

Larger household amounts

The current maximum is $1,183 a month for a household of five, $1,421 a month for a household of six, $1,571 a month for a household of seven, and $1,789 a month for a household of eight. Each additional member beyond eight changes the maximum by $-2 a month under the current comparison.

Eligibility limits

Income and asset limits

For households without an elderly or disabled member, the gross income limit is 130% of the federal poverty level, while the net income limit is 100%. For a household of four, the current gross limit is $3,483 a month and the net limit is $2,680 a month. The standard asset limit is $3,000, or $4,500 when the household includes an elderly or disabled member.

What decides it

How the allotment is calculated

SNAP applies deductions to countable income before comparing the result with the benefit formula.

SNAP benefit calculation

  • Income
    • Net income share
    • Earned income deduction
  • Deductions
    • Standard deduction for a household of four
    • Shelter deduction cap
    • Medical expense threshold
  • Maximum benefit
    • Household of four
    • Per-person comparison

Step by step

What changed for households

The current schedule began in October and replaced the prior maximums with the amounts shown here.

One person$298Two people$546Three people$785Four people$994Five people$1,183Six people$1,421Seven people$1,571Eight people$1,789
Maximum allotment by household size · Values from the fact table

Household of one

The maximum increased by $6 to $298 a month in October 2025.

Household of four

The maximum increased by $19 to $994 a month in October 2025.

Household of eight

The maximum increased by $33 to $1,789 a month in October 2025.

Your number

Estimate a household of four's benefit

Enter monthly net income to see an illustrative amount based on the current formula. The state agency determines the official benefit.

For a household of four, the current maximum is $994 a month and the standard deduction is $223 a month.

Worth remembering

Key figures at a glance

$994 a month

Maximum for a household of four

October 2026 effective date

Next scheduled adjustment

$248.50 a month

Per-person amount within a household of four

30% of net income

Benefit formula share

How we got here

  1. USDA releases the re-evaluated Thrifty Food Plan (first change in the plan's purchasing power since 1975); FNS issues the FY 2022 COLA memo the same day: family-of-four maximum $835 in the 48 states and DC, effective Oct. 1, 2021.

    Source

  2. FY 2022 SNAP maximum allotments take effect, based on the 2021 Thrifty Food Plan re-evaluation (48 states and DC family of four: $835).

    Source

  3. FY 2023 COLA takes effect: family-of-four maximum rises to $939; minimum benefit $23; shelter cap $624 (48 states and DC).

    Source

  4. FY 2024 COLA takes effect (memo dated Aug. 3, 2023): family-of-four maximum $973; shelter cap $672; standard deduction (1–3 persons) $198.

    Source

  5. FY 2025 COLA takes effect (memo dated Aug. 2, 2024): family-of-four maximum $975; shelter cap $712; asset limits rise to $3,000 / $4,500.

    Source

  6. One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (Public Law 119-21) signed. Sec. 10101 ties each October's Thrifty Food Plan cost to CPI-U for the 12 months ending June and bars a market-basket re-evaluation before Oct. 1, 2027; Sec. 10102 work-requirement changes and Secs. 10103–10104 (utility allowance, internet costs excluded from shelter costs) effective upon enactment.

    Source

  7. FNS publishes the FY 2026 COLA memo (signed Aug. 14, 2025): family-of-four maximum $994; minimum benefit $24; shelter cap $744; standard deduction (1–3) $209; asset limits unchanged at $3,000 / $4,500.

    Source

  8. FY 2026 COLA takes effect (valid through Sept. 30, 2026); OBBBA Sec. 10101 Thrifty Food Plan provision also effective this date.

    Source

  9. The Food and Nutrition Service is renamed the Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA); fns.usda.gov pages move to fna.usda.gov.

    Source

  10. FNA publishes a proposed rule implementing OBBBA Sec. 10106 — federal share of state SNAP administrative costs cut from 50% to 25% beginning FY 2027; comments due Aug. 24, 2026.

    Source

  11. Scheduled effective date of the FY 2027 COLA (start of federal fiscal year 2027). As of 2026-08-23 the FY 2027 memo and tables have NOT been published; amounts unknown.

    Source

Myth or fact? Tap to flip

Common SNAP questions

Questions people ask

SNAP maximum allotment FAQ

When did the current maximum allotments take effect?

The current schedule took effect on October 2025 and remains valid through September 2026.

What is the maximum for a household of four?

In the contiguous states and the District of Columbia, the maximum is $994 a month.

When is the next scheduled change?

The next statutory effective date is October 2026. Final FY twenty twenty-seven amounts depend on the applicable adjustment publication.

How is the benefit calculated?

SNAP generally applies allowable deductions, then counts 30% of net income against the applicable maximum.

What is the minimum benefit for smaller households?

For households of one or two persons in the contiguous states and the District of Columbia, the minimum is $24 a month.

Every number, sourced

Each figure on this page links to the official page or the calculation it came from. Tap any highlighted number to see where it comes from.

  1. snap.change.hh4.abscomputedhousehold of 4, 48 states and DC$19 a monthComputed from: snap.fy2026.max.hh4, snap.fy2025.max.hh4 · difference
  2. snap.fy2026.effective_dateofficialall jurisdictionsOctober 1, 2025In accordance with the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, the COLAs are effective as of October 1, 2025. — · www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/guidance-documents/fns.snap · Checked · Official: www.usda.gov is listed in the cisa_dotgov register (Department of Agriculture), checked 2026-08-24
  3. snap.fy2027.effective_dateofficialall jurisdictions (statutory schedule; FY 2027 memo not yet published)October 1, 2026We adjust SNAP maximum allotments, deductions, and income eligibility standards at the beginning of each federal fiscal year. The fiscal year begins on Oct. 1st. — SNAP Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information | Food and Nutrition Administration · www.fna.usda.gov/snap/allotment/cola · Checked · Officiality not proven by the sourcing engine
  4. snap.fy2026.max.hh4officialhousehold of 4, 48 states and DC$994 a month| 4 | $994 | $1,285 | $1,639 | $1,995 | $1,465 | $1,689 | $1,278 — · www.fna.usda.gov/snap/allotment/cola · Checked · Official: www.fna.usda.gov is listed in the cisa_dotgov register (Department of Agriculture), checked 2026-08-24 · archived copy from 2026-08-22
  5. snap.fy2026.max.hh1officialhousehold of 1, 48 states and DC$298 a month| 1 | $298 | $385 | $491 | $598 | $439 | $506 | $383 — · www.fna.usda.gov/snap/allotment/cola · Checked · Official: www.fna.usda.gov is listed in the cisa_dotgov register (Department of Agriculture), checked 2026-08-24 · archived copy from 2026-08-22
  6. snap.fy2026.max.hh8officialhousehold of 8, 48 states and DC$1,789 a month| 8 | $1,789 | $2,314 | $2,950 | $3,591 | $2,637 | $3,040 | $2,300 — · www.fna.usda.gov/snap/allotment/cola · Checked · Official: www.fna.usda.gov is listed in the cisa_dotgov register (Department of Agriculture), checked 2026-08-24 · archived copy from 2026-08-22
  7. snap.fy2026.min_benefitofficialhouseholds of 1–2 persons, 48 states and DC$24 a monthThe minimum benefit for the 48 States and D.C. will increase to $24. — · www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/guidance-documents/fns.snap · Checked · Official: www.usda.gov is listed in the cisa_dotgov register (Department of Agriculture), checked 2026-08-24
  8. snap.fy2026.max.hh2officialhousehold of 2, 48 states and DC$546 a month| 2 | $546 | $707 | $901 | $1,097 | $806 | $929 | $703 — · www.fna.usda.gov/snap/allotment/cola · Checked · Official: www.fna.usda.gov is listed in the cisa_dotgov register (Department of Agriculture), checked 2026-08-24 · archived copy from 2026-08-22
  9. snap.fy2026.max.hh3officialhousehold of 3, 48 states and DC$785 a month| 3 | $785 | $1,015 | $1,295 | $1,576 | $1,157 | $1,334 | $1,009 — · www.fna.usda.gov/snap/allotment/cola · Checked · Official: www.fna.usda.gov is listed in the cisa_dotgov register (Department of Agriculture), checked 2026-08-24 · archived copy from 2026-08-22
  10. snap.fy2026.valid_throughofficialall jurisdictionsSeptember 30, 2026The following tables provide the monthly maximum allotment and allowable deductions for FY 2026 (effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026). — Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Maximum Allotments and Deductions · www.fna.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource-files/snap-fy2 · Checked · Officiality not proven by the sourcing engine
  11. snap.fy2026.max.hh5officialhousehold of 5, 48 states and DC$1,183 a month| 5 | $1,183 | $1,529 | $1,950 | $2,374 | $1,743 | $2,010 | $1,521 — · www.fna.usda.gov/snap/allotment/cola · Checked · Official: www.fna.usda.gov is listed in the cisa_dotgov register (Department of Agriculture), checked 2026-08-24 · archived copy from 2026-08-22
  12. snap.fy2026.max.hh6officialhousehold of 6, 48 states and DC$1,421 a month| 6 | $1,421 | $1,838 | $2,344 | $2,853 | $2,095 | $2,415 | $1,827 — · www.fna.usda.gov/snap/allotment/cola · Checked · Official: www.fna.usda.gov is listed in the cisa_dotgov register (Department of Agriculture), checked 2026-08-24 · archived copy from 2026-08-22
  13. snap.fy2026.max.hh7officialhousehold of 7, 48 states and DC$1,571 a month| 7 | $1,571 | $2,031 | $2,590 | $3,152 | $2,315 | $2,668 | $2,019 — · www.fna.usda.gov/snap/allotment/cola · Checked · Official: www.fna.usda.gov is listed in the cisa_dotgov register (Department of Agriculture), checked 2026-08-24 · archived copy from 2026-08-22
  14. snap.change.each_additional.abscomputedeach additional member beyond 8, 48 states and DC$-2 a monthComputed from: snap.fy2026.max.each_additional, snap.fy2025.max.each_additional · difference
  15. snap.formula.gross_limit_fpl_pctofficialhouseholds without an elderly or disabled member130%Income eligibility standards are set by law. Gross monthly income limits are set at 130 percent of the poverty level for the household size. — · www.fna.usda.gov/snap/allotment/cola · Checked · Official: www.fna.usda.gov is listed in the cisa_dotgov register (Department of Agriculture), checked 2026-08-24 · archived copy from 2026-08-22
  16. snap.formula.net_limit_fpl_pctofficialall households100%Net monthly income limits are set at 100 percent of poverty. Net income means gross income minus allowable deductions. — · www.fna.usda.gov/snap/allotment/cola · Checked · Official: www.fna.usda.gov is listed in the cisa_dotgov register (Department of Agriculture), checked 2026-08-24 · archived copy from 2026-08-22
  17. snap.fy2026.gross_limit.hh4officialhousehold of 4, 48 states, DC, Guam and U.S. Virgin Islands$3,483 a month| 4 | $3,483 | $4,354 | $4,007 — · www.fna.usda.gov/snap/allotment/cola · Checked · Official: www.fna.usda.gov is listed in the cisa_dotgov register (Department of Agriculture), checked 2026-08-24 · archived copy from 2026-08-22
  18. snap.fy2026.net_limit.hh4officialhousehold of 4, 48 states, DC, Guam and U.S. Virgin Islands$2,680 a month| 4 | $2,680 | $3,350 | $3,082 — · www.fna.usda.gov/snap/allotment/cola · Checked · Official: www.fna.usda.gov is listed in the cisa_dotgov register (Department of Agriculture), checked 2026-08-24 · archived copy from 2026-08-22
  19. snap.fy2026.asset_limit.standardofficialhouseholds with no member age 60+ or disabled, all jurisdictions$3,000The asset limit for households will remain unchanged for the 48 States and D.C., Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands at $3,000. — · www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/guidance-documents/fns.snap · Checked · Official: www.usda.gov is listed in the cisa_dotgov register (Department of Agriculture), checked 2026-08-24
  20. snap.fy2026.asset_limit.elderly_disabledofficialhouseholds with at least one member age 60+ or disabled, all jurisdictions$4,500The asset limit for households where at least one person is age 60 or older, or is disabled, will also remain unchanged at $4,500. — · www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/guidance-documents/fns.snap · Checked · Official: www.usda.gov is listed in the cisa_dotgov register (Department of Agriculture), checked 2026-08-24
  21. snap.change.hh1.abscomputedhousehold of 1, 48 states and DC$6 a monthComputed from: snap.fy2026.max.hh1, snap.fy2025.max.hh1 · difference
  22. snap.change.hh8.abscomputedhousehold of 8, 48 states and DC$33 a monthComputed from: snap.fy2026.max.hh8, snap.fy2025.max.hh8 · difference
  23. snap.fy2026.std_deduction.hh4officialhousehold of 4, 48 states and DC$223 a month| 4 | $223 | $358 | $445 | $295 | $223 — · www.fna.usda.gov/snap/allotment/cola · Checked · Official: www.fna.usda.gov is listed in the cisa_dotgov register (Department of Agriculture), checked 2026-08-24 · archived copy from 2026-08-22
  24. snap.fy2026.max.hh4.per_personcomputedper person in a household of 4, 48 states and DC$248.50 a monthComputed from: snap.fy2026.max.hh4 · divide_by_4
  25. snap.formula.net_income_shareofficialall SNAP households (benefit computation)30%Because SNAP households are expected to spend about 30 percent of their own resources on food, your allotment is calculated by multiplying your household’s net monthly income by 0.3, and subtracting the result from the maximum monthly allotment for your household size. — · www.fna.usda.gov/snap/recipient/eligibility · Checked · Official: www.fna.usda.gov is listed in the cisa_dotgov register (Department of Agriculture), checked 2026-08-24 · archived copy from 2026-08-20

Verified: every quoted span was matched against a saved copy of its source page at build time; computed figures list their inputs.

What changed

This page is re-rendered when a source changes. Dates move only when content does.

  1. First render. 103 cited facts verified against saved source copies; 36 figures computed by the rules engine v2026.08.23.
  2. Recorded a contradiction between official pages: FY 2026 COLA memo date
  3. Recorded a contradiction between official pages: Per-person add-on for households larger than 8 (48 states and DC)
  4. Sources re-verified; 1 changed, page rebuilt.
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Keep going

  • In this seriesCheck your state's SNAP application process
  • In this seriesReview allowable deductions
  • In this seriesCompare income and asset limits
  • In this seriesPrepare documents for an eligibility interview
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