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What are the 2024 income limits for SNAP eligibility by household size?
Executive Summary
The 2024 SNAP income eligibility limits use a gross monthly ceiling equal to 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and a net monthly ceiling equal to 100% of FPL, producing concrete dollar thresholds by household size that most state offices list identically for the 48 contiguous states; for October 1, 2024–September 30, 2025 these commonly cited 130% gross limits start at $1,632 for a one‑person household and increase by $583 per additional person, with corresponding net limits starting at $1,255 and rising by $449 per additional person — figures reflected in multiple state postings and summary tables [1] [2] [3]. These figures are the operative eligibility cutoffs used by state SNAP agencies for 2024 benefit determinations; differences in one national table that lists a slightly lower gross series ($1,580 for one person) reflect an alternate presentation or federal table version and should be reconciled with the state agency release applicable to the claimant [3] [1].
1. What proponents and state pages say — a clear table of 2024 thresholds
State human services pages published for the October 1, 2024 effective period list gross monthly SNAP limits at 130% FPL and net monthly limits at 100% FPL, with a uniform schedule that begins at Gross $1,632 / Net $1,255 for a single-person household and goes to Gross $5,712 / Net $4,394 for an eight-person household; each additional person adds $583 gross and $449 net (figures are explicitly given on Maryland and Louisiana pages dated Oct 2024) [1] [2]. These state-level tables also note resource limits and special rules for households with elderly or disabled members, and they present the same mathematical relationship between gross and net thresholds used to assess preliminary eligibility, which means that most applicants in 2024 will be evaluated under the 130%/100% FPL framework described by these jurisdictions [1] [2]. State publications are authoritative for local determinations, so they are the practical reference most applicants should use.
2. A national table shows a different set of gross limits — why the numbers diverge
A national summary table found in another source lists slightly lower gross monthly limits for the 2024 period — $1,580 for one person, $2,137 for two, $2,694 for three, $3,250 for four, etc. — which correspond to a particular federal table version effective for federal fiscal reporting (notably shown in April 2024) and reflects 130% FPL calculations using a different rounding or monthly conversion method [3]. The existence of two nearby but different gross series is not a contradiction of policy; rather, it reflects that federal poverty thresholds can be converted to monthly figures by different agencies using slightly different rounding or annual-to-month conversions, and some states elect to publish their own rounded figures for administrative clarity [3] [1]. Applicants should therefore prioritize the state SNAP page for their jurisdiction when exact dollar cutoffs matter.
3. How states apply the limits and where differences appear
States uniformly apply the gross 130% FPL screen and then the net 100% FPL test, but differences arise in resource limits, deductions, and special exemptions such as higher resource ceilings for households with elderly or disabled members; Louisiana’s 2024 page explicitly lists resource limits of $3,000 (standard households) and $4,500 (elderly/disabled households) and reiterates the same gross/net schedule [2]. Administrative practice also varies on how states calculate net income — what deductions they allow for housing, child care, medical expenses, and other categories — which can materially affect eligibility even when gross thresholds are identical [2] [1]. Policy watchers and applicants must consider both the gross/net cutoffs and state deduction rules to predict eligibility accurately.
4. Reconciling the evidence — which numbers to trust for a given applicant
When sources differ, the decisive reference is the state SNAP agency publication for the applicant’s state and the effective date; Maryland and Louisiana state pages dated October 2024 provide an actionable schedule showing Gross $1,632 / Net $1,255 for one person and the incremental add‑ons per person that most applicants should use [1] [2]. The alternate national table listing gross $1,580 for one person is a federal table version useful for cross‑state comparison but may not reflect state rounding practices or resource rule differences [3]. Use the state page that matches your residence and the effective month; if you are applying, contact the state SNAP office to confirm the exact figure and how deductions will be computed.
5. Bottom line for applicants and policymakers — practical next steps
For practical purposes in 2024, treat the SNAP eligibility screens as 130% FPL gross and 100% FPL net, with the commonly published state figures starting at Gross $1,632 / Net $1,255 for one person and increasing by $583/$449 per additional person; check your state’s SNAP page for final numbers and resource limits and be prepared to document income and allowable deductions that affect net income [1] [2]. Policymakers and advocates should note that apparent discrepancies between federal tables and state postings are resolvable and stem from conversion methods and administrative choices, suggesting that improved harmonization or clearer communication would reduce applicant confusion [3] [1].