Vehicles

Vehicles count as a resource for SNAP purposes. States determine how vehicles may count toward household resources.

Licensed vehicles are NOT counted if they are:

Used for income-producing purposes (e.g., taxi, truck or delivery vehicle);

Annually producing income consistent with their fair market value;

Needed for long distance travel for work (other than daily commute);

Used as the home;

Needed to transport a physically disabled household member;

Needed to carry most of the household's fuel or water; or

If the sale of the vehicle would result in less than $1,500.

For non-excluded licensed vehicles, the fair market value over $4,650 counts as a resource.

Licensed vehicles are also subject to an equity test, which is the fair market value less any amount owed on the vehicle. The following vehicles are excluded from the equity test:

One vehicle per adult household member; and

Any other vehicle used by a household member under 18 to drive to work, school, job training, or to look for work.

For vehicles with both a fair market value over $4,650 and an equity value, the greater of the two amounts is counted as a resource.

Additionally, the equity value of unlicensed vehicles generally counts as a resource, with some exceptions.

Most SNAP households must meet both the gross and net income limits or they are not eligible for SNAP and cannot receive benefits. However, a household with an elderly or disabled person only has to meet the net income test.

Net income means gross income minus allowable deductions. Gross income means a household's total, non-excluded income, before any deductions have been made. Under federal law, all income is counted to determine eligibility for SNAP unless it is explicitly excluded. For SNAP purposes, “income” includes both earned income such as wages and unearned income such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and veterans, disability, and death benefits. Because veterans' and disability benefits are not explicitly excluded from income, they are counted when determining a household's eligibility for SNAP.

If all members of your household receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), SSI, or in some places other general assistance, your household may be deemed “categorically eligible” for SNAP because you have already been determined eligible for another means-tested program.

Most state agencies have adopted broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE ), which allows state agencies to align income and resource limits with their TANF-funded programs. Under BBCE, households are categorically eligible for SNAP if they are eligible to receive a TANF or maintenance of effort (MOE) state-funded non-cash benefit. Even if you meet the BBCE income and resource limit in your state, you will still need to meet non-financial eligibility rules and have an income low enough to receive SNAP benefits.

The information provided in the table below applies to households in the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands that apply for SNAP between Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2026.

Table 1: SNAP Income Eligibility Limits - Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027 Household Size Gross monthly income (130% of poverty) Net monthly income (100% of poverty) 1 $1,729 $1,330 2 $2,345 $1,804 3 $2,960 $2,277 4 $3,575 $2,750 5 $4,191 $3,224 6 $4,806 $3,697 7 $5,421 $4,170 8 $6,037 $4,644 Each additional member +$616 +$474

* SNAP gross and net income limits are higher in Alaska and Hawaii .

The following deductions are allowed for SNAP:

A 20% deduction from earned income.

A standard deduction of $217 for household sizes of 1 to 3 people (higher for some larger households and different for households in Alaska, Hawaii, Virgin Islands, and Guam).

A dependent care deduction when needed for work, training, or education.

Medical expenses for elderly or disabled members that are more than $35 for the month if they are not paid by insurance or someone else. The excess medical expenses deduction is described below.

In some states, legally owed child support payments.

A standard shelter deduction for homeless households of $205.66.

Excess shelter costs as described below.