SNAP benefits rose on October 1. Here are the new maximums
The FY2027 SNAP maximum allotment is $306 for one person and $1,023 for a family of four in the 48 states and D.C. The minimum benefit goes from $24 to $25.
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Max / family of 4 · 48 states and D.C.
Effective October 1, 2026, SNAP maximum monthly allotments in the 48 states and D.C. are $306 for one person, $562 for two, $808 for three and $1,023 for a family of four — up from $298, $546, $785 and $994. The minimum benefit rises from $24 to $25.
SNAP maximum allotments went up on October 1, 2026, under the annual cost-of-living adjustment.
| Household size | FY2026 | FY2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $298 | $306 | +$8 |
| 2 people | $546 | $562 | +$16 |
| 3 people | $808 | $808 | +$23 |
| 4 people | $994 | $1,023 | +$29 |
The minimum benefit rises from $24 to $25.
The limits moved too
The maximum allotment is only half the calculation. These changed on the same date:
- Gross income limit (130% of poverty): $1,729 a month for one person, $3,575 for four
- Shelter deduction cap: $769
- Standard deduction for households of 1 to 3: $217
- Asset limit for households with an elderly or disabled member: $4,750
Higher income limits matter as much as higher benefits — they are what decides whether a household qualifies at all.
What you actually receive
The maximum is not the payment. SNAP subtracts roughly 30% of your countable income from the maximum for your household size. A household with no countable income receives the maximum; most households receive less.
The exception
Hawaii’s maximums decreased this year. A family of four there drops to $1,655. Alaska and Hawaii run on separate tables from the 48 states and D.C.
Questions people ask
Do I have to apply for the increase?
No. The new maximums apply automatically to benefits issued for October 2026 onward.
Why is Hawaii different?
Hawaii and Alaska have separate allotment tables. Hawaii's maximums decreased this year; a family of four drops to $1,655.