SNAP Eligibility Calculator
Answer a few questions about your household — size, income, and expenses — and see whether you would likely pass the FY2026 SNAP gross and net income tests, plus an estimated monthly benefit from the USDA formula. Everything runs in your browser; your state agency makes every actual eligibility decision.
Works offline — your inputs never leave this device. How that works
- State
- Household
- Income
- Expenses
- Results
Your state sets where you apply and whether broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) relaxes the federal gross-income test. Alaska and Hawaii use higher income limits and allotments.
Screening estimate only — your state SNAP agency makes all eligibility decisions. This screener runs entirely in your browser; your answers are never sent anywhere.
Verified 2026-07-30 against USDA FNS/FNA — SNAP Fiscal Year 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (FY26 tables: maximum allotments & deductions, income eligibility standards, minimum allotments, AK/HI/GU/VI allotments) (effective 2025-10-01)
Verified 2026-07-30 against USDA FNS/FNA — SNAP State Directory of Resources (per-state pages fetched 2026-07-30) + Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) States Chart, last updated June 2026 (effective 2026-07-30)
Verified 2026-07-30 against HHS ASPE — 2026 Poverty Guidelines (published in the Federal Register 2026-01-15) (effective 2026-01-15)
Estimate only — not legal, financial, or benefits advice. Only USDA can determine your actual benefit.
Official source: USDA — SNAP recipient eligibility ↗
🎓 Understand this tool
What it is
A step-by-step screening tool for SNAP (food stamps): pick your state, describe your household, income, and expenses, and see whether you would likely pass the federal income tests plus an estimated monthly benefit. It runs entirely in your browser — nothing you enter is sent anywhere.
How it works
It applies the FY2026 USDA rules (7 CFR 273): the 130%-of-poverty gross income test, the deductions ladder (standard, 20% earned income, dependent care, medical over $35 for elderly/disabled members, excess shelter), the 100% net income test, and benefit = maximum allotment minus 30% of net income. Your state's BBCE status and the Alaska/Hawaii tables come from the verified rule packs.
Getting the most from it
- Choose your state — it sets the official application link and whether BBCE relaxes the gross test.
- Enter household size and mark whether anyone is 60 or older or disabled; that changes several rules at once.
- Enter monthly income before taxes, split into earned (wages) and unearned (benefits, support).
- Add shelter, utility, dependent-care, and any qualifying medical costs — deductions are where most estimates move.
- Read the results, then use the official state application link to apply if the screen looks promising.
Reading your result
The banner says "likely eligible" or "may not be eligible" — never yes or no, because only your state agency can decide after a full application and interview. The benefit figure is the federal formula applied to your rounded answers; the deductions list shows exactly which rules moved your net income.
What it can't tell you
A screener cannot verify documents, apply student/work rules, immigration status provisions, or state-specific deductions like actual utility allowances. States also set details BBCE leaves open. Treat the result as a signal to apply or not — the determination belongs to your state SNAP agency alone.
Frequently asked questions
For federal fiscal year 2026 (October 2025 – September 2026), a household of 4 in the 48 contiguous states generally must have gross monthly income at or below $3,483 (130% of the poverty line) and net income after deductions at or below $2,680. Alaska and Hawaii have higher limits, and households with an elderly or disabled member skip the gross test.
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