What SNAP is and who it serves

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition information Program) is a federal program that gives money to low-income households to buy food at grocery stores and farmers markets. The money loads onto a card called an EBT card that works like a debit card at checkout. SNAP is run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but each state administers its own program with slightly different rules about income limits and what counts as food.

The program serves households of any size, from single people to large families. You do not have to be unemployed to receive SNAP — many working people use it because their wages are low. Seniors and people with disabilities can also receive SNAP if their income falls below the state's limit.

SNAP is the largest federal food information program in the United States. In any given month, millions of people use SNAP benefits to purchase groceries. The amount you receive depends on your household size, income, and certain expenses like rent or childcare.

Key Takeaways

  • SNAP provides monthly funds loaded onto an EBT card that you use to buy food at participating stores, but not prepared meals or non-food items.
  • Your state sets its own income limits and rules, so the amount you receive and what counts as an allowable expense varies by where you live.
  • You must report changes in income, household size, or living situation to keep your benefits, usually within 10 days of the change.
  • SNAP benefits are not taxable income, and receiving SNAP does not affect your immigration status or create a public charge issue.

How much SNAP money you receive each month

SNAP calculates your monthly benefit by taking 30 percent of your household's net income and subtracting that from the maximum benefit for your household size. The maximum benefit changes each year and varies by state, but as of 2024 it ranges from around $280 per month for a single person to over $1,700 for a family of eight. Your actual benefit will be lower than the maximum unless your income is very low.

The calculation includes deductions for certain expenses. Most states allow deductions for rent or mortgage, utilities, childcare costs, and medical expenses for elderly or disabled household members. Some states are more generous with deductions than others. If your income is so low that even after deductions it is still very low, you may receive close to the maximum benefit for your household size.

Your benefit amount changes if your income changes, if someone moves into or out of your household, or if your expenses change. You must report these changes to keep your benefit amount correct. If you do not report a change and your benefit is too high, you may have to repay the overpayment.

What you can and cannot buy with SNAP

SNAP money can only be used to buy food that you will prepare and eat at home. This includes fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads, cereals, snack foods, and non-alcoholic beverages. You can also buy seeds and plants that produce food. The rules are the same whether you shop at a large supermarket, a small corner store, or a farmers market.

You cannot use SNAP to buy prepared foods, hot foods, or foods meant to be eaten in the store. This means you cannot buy rotisserie chicken, deli sandwiches, or food from a restaurant or food cart. You also cannot buy alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, pet food, soap, paper products, or anything else that is not food for human consumption.

Some stores have a deli or hot food section. If you buy an item from that section that is cold and meant to take home, you can use SNAP. If the same item is hot or meant to be eaten there, you cannot. When in doubt, ask the cashier before you check out.

Income limits and how they work by state

SNAP has a gross income limit and a net income limit. The gross income limit is usually 130 percent of the federal poverty line, which changes each year. For 2024, the gross monthly income limit for a family of three is around $2,900, but this number is different in each state and changes yearly. Some states use a higher gross income limit, and some use a lower one.

After you subtract allowed deductions, your net income must also be below a limit — usually 100 percent of the federal poverty line. This is why two households with the same gross income might receive different benefits or one might be over the limit and one might not. The deductions matter.

Your state's SNAP office publishes its current income limits and deduction rules. You can find this information on your state's SNAP website or by calling the local office. Income limits change on October 1 each year, so if you were told you were over the limit in September, you might be under it in October.

How to report changes and keep your benefits active

SNAP requires you to report changes in your situation so your benefit stays correct. You must report a change in income, a change in household members, a change in your address, or a change in expenses like rent within a certain time frame — usually 10 days in most states, though this varies. If you do not report a change, your benefit might be wrong, and you could owe money back.

You can report changes by phone, mail, online, or in person at your local SNAP office. Many states have an online portal where you can update your information without calling. Some states allow you to report changes through a mobile app. Check your state's SNAP website to see which methods are available where you live.

Your SNAP case also has a renewal date. Before that date, you must recertify — meaning you provide updated information about your income and household to prove you still meet the rules. The renewal process is usually done by mail or online. If you miss the renewal important date, your benefits will stop, and you will have to reapply to get them back.

SNAP and other government programs

Receiving SNAP does not affect your status with other programs. If you receive Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary information for Needy Families (TANF), or other benefits, getting SNAP will not change those. In fact, if you receive SSI or TANF in your state, you may be able to use a simplified process process for SNAP.

Some households receive both SNAP and TANF. TANF is a cash information program, and SNAP is food information — they serve different purposes and can be used together. The income limits and rules are different for each program, so you might be over the limit for one but under the limit for the other.

If you are a senior or a person with a disability, you may also be able to receive SNAP even if your income is slightly higher than the normal limit. Some states have special rules for these groups. Contact your local SNAP office to ask whether you might be covered under a different rule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does getting SNAP hurt my immigration status or create a public charge problem?

No. SNAP is not counted as a public charge. Receiving SNAP will not affect your immigration status, your green card, or your path to citizenship. You can receive SNAP regardless of your immigration status if you meet the other rules, though some non-citizens have restrictions. Check with your state's SNAP office about whether you are covered.

What happens if I report income wrong or my benefit is too high?

If your benefit was too high because of a mistake you made, you may have to repay the overpayment. If the mistake was the state's fault, you usually do not have to repay it. If you cannot repay all at once, you can ask to set up a payment plan. The state will tell you how much you owe and give you options for repayment.

Can I use SNAP at farmers markets?

Yes. Many farmers markets accept EBT cards. Some markets have special programs where they match your SNAP dollars — for example, if you spend $10 in SNAP benefits, they give you an extra $10 in tokens to spend on produce. Check with your local farmers market to see if they accept EBT and whether they offer a matching program.

What if my income goes up — do I lose all my benefits right away?

No. If your income goes over the limit, your benefits will stop, but there is usually a grace period. Many states allow you to keep your current benefit amount for one or two months while your case is being recalculated. After that, your benefit will adjust or stop depending on your new income. Report the income change as soon as it happens so the state can process it correctly.

Can I use SNAP to buy food online?

Some states allow online SNAP purchases through certain retailers like Amazon Fresh and Walmart. Not all states offer this yet, and not all stores participate. Check your state's SNAP website or call your local office to see whether online ordering is available where you live and which stores accept SNAP online.