What are the SNAP income and asset eligibility rules in 2025?

1. The headline numbers everyone uses — income ceilings and how they work

For Fiscal Year 2025, SNAP sets the gross monthly income ceiling at 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and the net monthly income ceiling at 100% of FPL for most households, with separate calculation tables by household size and by location (48 states/DC/Guam/USVI vs. Alaska and Hawaii). The published tables show gross limits rising with household size — for example, one-person gross limits in FY2025 appear around $1,632–$1,696 depending on the source snapshot, while larger households scale upward to the eight-person brackets listed in official tables ^{[1] [2]}. These ceilings determine initial eligibility checks before deductions are applied to calculate net income, and the net-income limit is used for final eligibility determinations ^[1].

2. Resources and the often-misunderstood asset test

The asset (resource) limits in 2025 are $3,000 for most households and $4,500 for households with at least one member age 60 or older or with a disability; this remains consistent across the federal guidance cited ^{[2] [3]}. Some states have flexibility in counting resources administratively, but federal tables and program guidance clarify that certain resources are excluded — chiefly the home and surrounding lot — and vehicles may be excluded under specific circumstances, such as when necessary for transportation or income production. Some reports note that many households “no longer have to pass a savings or resource test,” reflecting administrative waivers or state options, but the baseline federal limits above remain the default for federal eligibility determinations ^{[4] [2]}.

3. Special handling for elderly, disabled and households with different incomes

Households that include an elderly (60+) or disabled member face a different calculation path: gross income limits for those households can be set at 165% of FPL in some tables, and the asset limit is higher at $4,500. Additionally, SNAP allows deductions — medical costs for elderly/disabled members and other allowable deductions — that reduce countable income and can make households eligible even if gross income is above thresholds before deductions ^{[1] [5]}. Sources emphasize that these households often qualify under different rules or have exemptions from typical work requirements and are treated with higher resource thresholds and more favorable deductions ^{[1] [3]}.

4. State differences and geography — why Alaska and Hawaii matter

Federal SNAP guidance provides baseline ceilings but Alaska and Hawaii have higher income tables and different maximum allotments, reflecting higher living costs in those states. The federal tables published for FY2025 explicitly show larger net and gross monthly limits for Alaska and Hawaii compared with the contiguous 48 states and DC ^[1]. States also have administrative discretion to manage certain procedural elements — for example, how vehicles are counted or which state-specific deductions apply — which means an applicant should verify both the federal table and the state SNAP office’s published rules when assessing eligibility ^[2].

5. How annual adjustments and FY 2026 changes intersect with 2025 rules

SNAP income limits and maximum allotments are adjusted annually through cost-of-living updates. Documents labeled FY2026 CO-LA indicate changes effective October 1, 2025, which sometimes create overlap or confusion when comparing fiscal-year tables; however, the FY2025 tables remained effective October 1, 2024–September 30, 2025 and are the operative reference for 2025 prior to any FY2026 changes taking effect ^{[1] [6]}. Analysts note that while FY2026 materials point to updated thresholds, the 2025 rules described above were the governing standard for the fiscal year noted, and applicants should use the table that corresponds to their application date ^{[6] [2]}.

6. What remains unclear and practical next steps for applicants

Official tables give precise dollar limits by household size, but practical eligibility often hinges on deductions, treatment of vehicles, and state-level policy choices. Several sources stress the complexity: while the federal baseline lists $3,000/$4,500 resource thresholds and 130%/100% income ceilings, exemptions, deductions, and administrative waivers can change outcomes for individuals. The clearest practical step is to consult the state SNAP office with the household’s exact income, expenses, assets, and composition to get a definitive determination using the FY2025 tables or the FY2026 adjustments as applicable to the application date ^{[2] [4]}.