Income Limits for Benefits 2026–27: SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, School Meals, Lifeline, EITC and More by Household Size

Here are the income limits for the main US benefit programs in 2026–27, by household size, each with its official source and the period it is for. Limits differ by program, and many differ by state too: put your household in the calculator below to see which you are under, and where each one ends for you.

What do the income limits mean?

An income limit is the most a household can have coming in and still qualify for a program. Most limits are set as a percent of the federal poverty guidelines, the yearly income lines the Department of Health and Human Services publishes for each household size. SNAP’s gross limit is 130% of the guideline, WIC’s is 185%, Lifeline’s 135%, and so on. The program then turns that yearly figure into a monthly one, usually rounding up to the next dollar.

Three things change which limit applies to you. The first is your household size: each program counts people its own way (SNAP counts everyone who buys and makes food together; Medicaid counts your tax household; WIC counts a pregnant woman’s expected baby). The second is the kind of income: most programs start from gross income, before taxes and anything else are taken out, but SNAP’s second test uses income after deductions, and Medicaid and the marketplace use modified adjusted gross income from your tax return. The third is your state: states set many limits of their own, and Alaska and Hawaii have their own poverty guidelines.

What are the 2026 poverty guidelines?

The poverty guidelines are the yardstick almost every program uses. HHS published the 2026 guidelines in January 2026; programs switch to them on their own dates: SNAP from October 1, 2026, WIC and school meals from July 1, 2026, and the marketplace tax credit for 2027 coverage. The table also shows the multiples programs use most.

Programs use these lines as a yardstick: Medicaid for adults at 138%, many child care and energy programs at 150% to 200%, and so on.

Source: Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines (91 FR 1797-1798, FR Doc. 2026-00755, 15 Jan 2026) (Federal Register / HHS Office of the Secretary). Checked October 31, 2026.

A household of 3 at the poverty line has $27,320 a year in the 48 states and DC. Alaska ($34,150) and Hawaii ($31,420) have higher lines, and their programs’ limits are higher too.

What are the SNAP income limits?

SNAP has two income tests for most households, with the figures USDA set for October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Gross income, before anything is taken out, must be under 130% of the poverty line. Net income, after SNAP’s deductions for earnings, the standard deduction, child care, high rent and utilities and some medical costs, must be under 100%. A household with someone 60 or older or with a disability only needs to pass the net test.

Households with someone 60 or older or with a disability only need to pass the net income test. Many states let more households in with a higher gross limit; each state page says.

Sources: SNAP – Fiscal Year 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (memo and tables, signed August 21, 2026) (USDA Food and Nutrition Administration (formerly Food and Nutrition Service)); 7 CFR 273.9 Income and deductions (eCFR up to date as of 2026-10-29) (eCFR / National Archives (USDA rule)); 7 CFR 273.10 Determining household eligibility and benefit levels (eCFR 2026-10-29) (eCFR / National Archives (USDA rule)); 7 CFR 273.8 Resource eligibility standards (eCFR 2026-10-29) (eCFR / National Archives (USDA rule)); Public Law 119-21 (the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act"), 4 July 2025, Title I Subtitle A "Nutrition", sections 10101-10108 (139 Stat. 81-85) (U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)). Checked October 31, 2026.

Many states let households in up to a higher gross limit, from 130% to 200% of the poverty line, through an option called broad-based categorical eligibility; each state’s page says what its limit is. Being under the limits does not mean you get the most: SNAP is the most for your household size minus 30% of your net income. Households of 1 or 2 who qualify get at least $25 a month. The SNAP page explains how the amount is worked out.

What are the WIC income limits?

WIC’s limit is 185% of the poverty guidelines, for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. A household of 3 can have up to $4,212 a month before taxes. Anyone on SNAP, Medicaid or TANF meets the income rule without the table, and a pregnant woman counts the baby she is expecting, which raises her limit.

A pregnant woman counts the baby (or babies) she is expecting. Anyone on SNAP, Medicaid or TANF meets the income rule.

Sources: Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): 2026/2027 Income Eligibility Guidelines (91 FR 23050-23052, FR Doc. 2026-08323, 29 Apr 2026) (USDA Food and Nutrition Service (Federal Register notice)); The Food and Nutrition Assistance Landscape: Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report (Economic Information Bulletin 304, June 2026) (USDA Economic Research Service). Checked October 31, 2026.

What are the free and reduced-price school meal limits?

School meals have two limits for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027: free meals up to 130% of the poverty guidelines, and reduced-price meals up to 185%. A household of 4 qualifies for free meals with income up to $3,575 a month, and for reduced-price meals up to $5,088. Children in households on SNAP or TANF get free meals without filling in a form, and some states give free meals to every student.

Children in households on SNAP or TANF get free meals without a form.

Source: Child Nutrition Programs: Income Eligibility Guidelines (91 FR 17932-17935, FR Doc. 2026-06842, 9 Apr 2026) (USDA Food and Nutrition Service (Federal Register notice)). Checked October 31, 2026.

What are the Lifeline income limits?

Lifeline takes $9.25 a month off one phone or internet plan for households with income at or under 135% of the poverty guidelines, or with someone on SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, federal housing help or a Veterans Pension.

Or no income test at all: getting SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, federal housing help or a Veterans Pension qualifies.

Sources: 47 CFR 54.403 Lifeline support amount (eCFR, up to date as of 2026-10-29) (eCFR / National Archives (FCC rule)); 47 CFR 54.409 Consumer qualification for Lifeline (eCFR, as of 2026-10-29) (eCFR / National Archives (FCC rule)); Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines (91 FR 1797-1798, FR Doc. 2026-00755, 15 Jan 2026) (Federal Register / HHS Office of the Secretary). Checked October 31, 2026.

What are the Medicaid and CHIP income limits?

Medicaid and CHIP limits are set by each state, separately for babies, children, pregnant women, parents and other adults, as a percent of the poverty line. In states that expanded Medicaid, adults 19 to 64 qualify up to 138%. Children’s and pregnant women’s limits are set apart from adults’. Because they differ so much, they are on each state’s page, with the monthly limit for households of 1 to 4.

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Illinois
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Montana
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Vermont
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

What are the EITC income limits for 2026?

The Earned Income Tax Credit has no single income limit: it grows with earnings, stays at its maximum for a stretch, then shrinks until it reaches zero. Where it reaches zero depends on how many qualifying children you have and whether you are married. You also need earnings from work, and no more than $12,200 of investment income.

Income is earned income or adjusted gross income, whichever is higher, for the year. The credit is not allowed with more than $12,200 of investment income. Workers without a qualifying child must be 25 to 64.

Sources: Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (tax year 2026 inflation adjustments, as modified for Public Law 119-21) (IRS); Public Law 119-21 (4 Jul 2025), the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act / "Working Families Tax Cut" law (GPO (govinfo)); IRS Topic 751 Social Security and Medicare withholding rates (IRS); 90 FR 49047 (3 Nov 2025): SSA, Cost-of-Living Increase and Other Determinations for 2026 (Federal Register (SSA)); 26 U.S.C. 32 (earned income credit), US Code 2024 edition (GPO (govinfo)); IRS: Who qualifies for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) (IRS); 26 U.S.C. 24 (child tax credit), US Code 2024 edition (before Public Law 119-21) (GPO (govinfo)); IRS: Child Tax Credit page (describes tax year 2025) (IRS); 26 U.S.C. 86, Social security and tier 1 railroad retirement benefits (United States Code, 2023 edition) (U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)); 26 U.S.C. 1401 Rate of tax (self-employment), U.S. Code 2024 edition (U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo.gov)); 26 U.S.C. 1402 Definitions (net earnings from self-employment), U.S. Code 2024 edition (U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo.gov)); 26 U.S.C. 32 Earned income (credit), U.S. Code 2024 edition (U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo.gov)); 26 U.S.C. 24 Child tax credit, U.S. Code 2024 edition (U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo.gov)); 26 U.S.C. 199A Qualified business income, U.S. Code 2024 edition (before Public Law 119-21) (U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo.gov)); Public Law 119-21, 4 July 2025, sec. 70105 (26 U.S.C. 199A as extended and amended), 139 Stat. 161-162 (U.S. Congress via the Government Publishing Office); Rev. Proc. 2025-32, inflation adjustments for tax year 2026, sections 2.12 and 4.26 (IRS). Checked October 31, 2026.

The Child Tax Credit is $2,200 per child under 17, and up to $1,700 of it can be paid to you even if you owe no income tax. It shrinks only at high incomes. The Child Tax Credit page says more.

What is the income limit for the marketplace tax credit?

For 2027 coverage, the premium tax credit is for households from 100% to 400% of the poverty line, using the 2026 guidelines. Above 400%, there is no credit at all. Within the range, the credit is the price of the benchmark silver plan minus a share of income that rises with income.

The tax credit is the benchmark plan's premium minus this share of income. Below 100% of the poverty line there is no credit (Medicaid is meant to cover people there). A job offer of coverage that costs the worker no more than 10.22% of household income rules the credit out.

Sources: Rev. Proc. 2026-26 (2027 applicable percentage table and required contribution percentage) (IRS); 26 U.S.C. 36B, United States Code 2024 edition (before Public Law 119-21) (GPO (govinfo)); 26 CFR 1.36B-3 (computing the premium assistance amount; applicable percentage) (eCFR); IRS FS-2025-10 (23 Dec 2025; individual answers updated 19 Feb 2026): Questions and answers on the Premium Tax Credit (IRS). Checked October 31, 2026.

What about SSI, TANF, child care help and housing?

SSI has no fixed income limit: it pays up to $994 a month for one person in 2026, less part of other income, so it ends when countable income reaches that amount. It also has a savings limit of $2,000 for one person. TANF cash help, child care help and energy help are set by each state, so their limits are on each state’s page. Housing vouchers use HUD’s limits for each county: most families qualify at up to 50% of the area’s median income, and at least 75% of the families a housing agency admits each year must have incomes at or below 30%. The calculator uses your county’s figures when you pick it.

Is income before or after taxes?

Before taxes, for almost every limit on this page. The programs count gross income: your pay before income tax, Social Security and Medicare taxes, health insurance premiums or anything else comes out, plus other income such as unemployment, Social Security or child support received. SNAP’s net test and the calculator’s own answer then take off the deductions each program allows. The marketplace and Medicaid count modified adjusted gross income, the figure from your tax return with untaxed Social Security added back.

Figures checked October 31, 2026.

Questions people ask

Are income limits monthly or yearly?

Both, depending on the program. SNAP and WIC usually work with monthly income, and the marketplace tax credit and the EITC with yearly income. The tables give the figure each program uses, and the calculator converts your pay for you.

Do I count my children’s income?

Programs differ. SNAP counts the income of everyone in the household, but leaves out the pay of a child under 18 who is at school and lives with a parent (7 CFR 273.9(c)(7)). Medicaid and the marketplace look at your tax household. The calculator does not ask for the pay of children under 14.

What if I am just over a limit?

You may still qualify. Many programs take deductions off first, many states use higher limits than the federal ones, and some households are exempt from a test. The calculator works out the whole rule for your household, not just the first limit.

When do the limits change?

On different days: SNAP’s on October 1, WIC’s and school meals’ on July 1, the poverty guidelines each January, tax credits each tax year, and state limits whenever the state changes them. Each table here says the period it covers.

Why is Alaska’s limit higher?

HHS publishes separate, higher poverty guidelines for Alaska and Hawaii because costs are higher there, and programs that use the guidelines follow them.

Updated November 1, 2026