Amid all the cuts and negative changes to the SNAP program, there is one piece of good news that affects every recipient: maximum SNAP benefits are increasing starting October 1, 2026. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published its official fiscal year 2027 memorandum on August 21, 2026, with new amounts that take effect on October 1 and remain in place through September 30, 2027. The adjustment reflects food inflation of 2.9% — meaning your food benefits will stretch a little further starting next month.
The increase is automatic — you do not need to do anything to receive it. If you are an active SNAP recipient, the new amount will be loaded directly onto your EBT card starting with your October payment, with no application or notification required.
New maximum SNAP amounts starting October 1, 2026
These are the new maximum monthly SNAP benefits for fiscal year 2027 in the 48 contiguous states and Washington D.C.:
1 person: $306 per month (up from $298 — an increase of $8). 2 people: $562 per month (up from $546 — an increase of $16). 3 people: $808 per month (up from $785 — an increase of $23). 4 people: $1,023 per month (up from $994 — an increase of $29). 5 people: $1,216 per month (up from $1,183 — an increase of $33). 6 people: $1,459 per month (up from $1,421 — an increase of $38). 7 people: $1,614 per month (up from $1,571 — an increase of $43). 8 people: $1,838 per month (up from $1,789 — an increase of $49). For each additional person beyond 8, add $225 per month (up from $218).
The guaranteed minimum benefit for eligible one- and two-person households rises from $24 to $25 per month.
The exception: Hawaii’s benefits are going down
Hawaii is the only state where maximum SNAP benefits will decrease in fiscal year 2027. The maximum for a four-person household in Hawaii drops from $1,759 to $1,655. The minimum benefit for one- and two-person households also decreases slightly, from $41 to $40. This reduction is a result of the USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan calculation methodology, which this year reflected a smaller difference in food costs between Hawaii and the rest of the country.
Income limits to qualify are also increasing
Alongside the maximum benefit amounts, the USDA has also updated the income limits to qualify for SNAP starting October 1. These are the new gross monthly income limits for the 48 contiguous states and D.C.:
1 person: $1,580 gross per month. 2 people: $2,137 gross per month. 3 people: $2,694 gross per month. 4 people: $3,251 gross per month. 5 people: $3,808 gross per month. For each additional person, add $557.
This means that if you previously did not qualify for SNAP because your income was just above the limit, it may be worth reapplying starting October 1 under the new thresholds.
The shelter deduction cap is also going up
Another change that may increase your monthly benefit is the rise in the shelter expense deduction cap, which goes from $672 to $769 per month. If your rent, mortgage, or utility costs are high, this deduction can reduce your calculated net income and therefore increase the SNAP amount you receive. If you think your housing costs could entitle you to a higher deduction, discuss it with your SNAP agency at your next recertification.
Why the increase is smaller than it may seem
A 2.9% increase may sound modest — especially for those watching food prices continue to climb. And there is an important reason for that: the new H.R. 1 law changed the methodology used by the USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan — the index used to calculate the annual SNAP adjustment. Before this law, the USDA could conduct broader re-evaluations of the reference food basket to better reflect real changes in prices. Now it can only apply an inflation adjustment, which limits benefit growth to tracking prices rather than beating them.
The 2.9% increase is welcome — especially at a time when millions of families are losing SNAP — but experts warn it will not fully cover the real increase in food costs that many households are experiencing this year.
What to do if you think you should be receiving more
If you believe the amount you receive is lower than what you are entitled to, you have options. First, make sure your agency has all your information up to date — changes in household size, income, or housing costs can increase your benefit. Second, verify that all the deductions you are entitled to are being applied — housing costs, dependent care, and medical expenses for elderly or disabled members. If you believe there is an error in your calculation, you can formally request a case review at any time.