Food
SNAP for seniors
SNAP puts money for groceries on an EBT card each month. Your state runs it and many states call it something else, but the federal rules are kinder to people 60 and older: your home and most retirement savings don't count, and medical bills can lower the income that does.
Rules in your state
Your state runs SNAP, so the name, the limits and how to apply depend on where you live.
Who may qualify
| Net income limit, one person (Oct 2026 to Sept 2027) | $1,330 a month |
|---|---|
| Net income limit, two people (Oct 2026 to Sept 2027) | $1,804 a month |
| Savings limit if someone in the home is 60 or older | $4,750 |
| Medical costs you can deduct (60 or older) | Out-of-pocket medical costs over $35 a month |
What you may get
| Most a month, one person (48 states and DC) | $306 a month |
|---|---|
| Most a month, two people (48 states and DC) | $562 a month |
Good to know
- You apply in the state where you live, with your state's own form. Your state may let you keep more savings than the federal limit.
- If you're approved, benefits are paid back to the day you applied.
What people get wrong
MythI own my home, so I can't get SNAP.
Not true. Your home and the lot it sits on don't count toward the savings limit.
MythMy retirement account puts me over the limit.
Usually not. Most retirement and pension plans don't count as savings, though money you take out of them may count.
SNAP in every state
| State | What it's called | Savings limit |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Food Assistance Program (SNAP) | No limit |
| Alaska | SNAP | No limit |
| Arizona | Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) | No limit |
| Arkansas | SNAP | $4,750 |
| California | CalFresh (SNAP) | No limit |
| Colorado | SNAP | No limit |
| Connecticut | SNAP | No limit |
| Delaware | SNAP | No limit |
| District of Columbia | SNAP | No limit |
| Florida | Food Assistance Program (SNAP) | No limit |
| Georgia | SNAP | No limit |
| Hawaii | SNAP | No limit |
| Idaho | SNAP | $5,000 |
| Illinois | SNAP | No limit |
| Indiana | SNAP | $4,750 |
| Iowa | SNAP | No limit |
| Kansas | Food Assistance program (SNAP) | $4,750 |
| Kentucky | SNAP | No limit |
| Louisiana | SNAP | No limit |
| Maine | SNAP | No limit |
| Maryland | SNAP | No limit |
| Massachusetts | SNAP | No limit |
| Michigan | Food Assistance Program (SNAP) | No limit |
| Minnesota | SNAP | No limit |
| Mississippi | SNAP | $4,750 |
| Missouri | SNAP | $4,750 |
| Montana | SNAP | No limit |
| Nebraska | SNAP | $25,000 in cash, checking, savings and similar accounts; other property doesn't count |
| Nevada | SNAP | No limit |
| New Hampshire | SNAP | No limit |
| New Jersey | NJ SNAP | No limit |
| New Mexico | SNAP | No limit |
| New York | SNAP | No limit |
| North Carolina | Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) | No limit |
| North Dakota | SNAP | No limit |
| Ohio | Food Assistance Program (SNAP) | No limit |
| Oklahoma | SNAP | No limit |
| Oregon | SNAP food benefits | No limit |
| Pennsylvania | SNAP | No limit |
| Rhode Island | SNAP | No limit |
| South Carolina | SNAP | No limit |
| South Dakota | SNAP | $4,750 |
| Tennessee | SNAP | $4,750 |
| Texas | SNAP Food Benefits | $5,000, counting cash and savings plus the value of your main vehicle above $22,500 and other vehicles above $8,700 |
| Utah | SNAP | $4,750 |
| Vermont | 3SquaresVT (SNAP) | No limit |
| Virginia | SNAP | No limit |
| Washington | Basic Food (SNAP) | No limit |
| West Virginia | SNAP | No limit |
| Wisconsin | FoodShare (SNAP) | No limit |
| Wyoming | SNAP | $4,750 |
Sources
- USDA Food and Nutrition Administration, SNAP eligibility (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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