How Much Can You Earn and Still Qualify for SNAP Food Stamp Benefits?

One of the most pressing questions for people considering applying for SNAP benefits—the federal government’s supplemental nutrition assistance program formerly known as food stamps—is straightforward: how much can you make and still get food stamps? If your financial situation has recently shifted, understanding where you stand matters more than ever. The answer isn’t as simple as a single dollar amount, because eligibility depends on both your gross income and your net income after expenses.

The Income Ceiling: Understanding the 30% Rule

Your how much can you make and still get food stamps calculation starts with a fundamental rule: your gross monthly income must be at or below 30% of the federal poverty line. For 2024, the poverty line ranges from $14,580 for a single person to $30,000 for a family of four. This baseline has increased from previous years—2023’s poverty line for a family of four was $27,750, reflecting inflation adjustments.

But here’s what trips people up: even if you stay under the gross income limit, there’s a second hurdle. Your net income—what you earn after subtracting allowable household expenses—cannot exceed the poverty line for your household size. The government allows you to deduct a standard deduction of $198 per month or more depending on family size, plus legitimate expenses like childcare and utilities.

Beyond Income: The Asset Question

Many people don’t realize that SNAP eligibility isn’t just about what you earn each month. Your total assets matter too. If your household has no elderly members or disabled individuals, your liquid assets can’t exceed $2,750. If you have a family member who is 60 or older or has a disability, that ceiling rises to $4,250.

Assets include money in bank accounts and resources you could theoretically use to buy food. However, your personal property, retirement accounts (typically), and vehicles usually don’t count against you, which means you could own a home, car, and retirement savings while still qualifying.

Work Requirements: When You Must Be Working

Able-bodied adults between 16 and 59 generally must meet work-related conditions to receive benefits. The expectations include registering for employment, participating in SNAP-sponsored job training programs, accepting suitable job offers, and maintaining at least 30 hours of work per week if currently employed.

These requirements become stricter for adults without dependents. Individuals aged 18 to 51 without children or disabilities face a three-month benefit limit every three years unless they work or participate in work-training programs for at least 20 hours weekly. Beginning in October 2024, this restriction extends to adults up to age 54.

However, significant exceptions exist. Caring for a young child, incapacity due to disability, active addiction treatment participation, or being a student attending school half-time can all exempt you from these requirements. Veterans, homeless individuals, and former foster youth under 25 also receive exemptions.

Other Disqualifying Factors

Regardless of your income and assets, certain categories automatically disqualify applicants. These include individuals who are currently on strike, those without documented immigration status, and lawfully present immigrants who haven’t resided in the U.S. for at least five years (unless other federal criteria apply).

The Evolving Landscape: State-Level Changes to Drug Felony Bans

The 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act imposed a lifetime SNAP ban on anyone convicted of drug felonies after the law’s passage. However, states have increasingly challenged this restriction. As of December 2023, 25 states plus Washington D.C. have completely eliminated both the SNAP and related TANF bans. Another 14 states have modified both restrictions, while six have altered the SNAP ban specifically.

Only South Carolina maintained both bans unchanged. States that modified rather than eliminated bans may require drug testing or mandatory addiction treatment participation, with waiting periods following convictions. Missouri and several other states are actively considering full repeal of drug felony restrictions, recognizing that access to basic nutrition supports successful reentry into society.

Finding Your Specific Answer

Your state’s implementation of SNAP varies, meaning flexibility exists in how these federal guidelines are applied. Since regulations continue evolving—particularly regarding work requirements and drug felony convictions—how much can you make and still get food stamps ultimately depends on your personal circumstances and location.

To determine your specific eligibility regarding income limits, assets, and work requirements, contact your state’s SNAP agency. The USDA maintains a State Directory of Resources with contact information and application details for each state’s SNAP office.