SNAP Benefit Estimator

How to do it

1. 1
   Enter the household size

   Count everyone who buys and prepares food together and mark if anyone is 60 or older or disabled.

2. 2
   Enter income

   Type gross monthly income and the part that is earned from work.

3. 3
   Add deductible costs

   Enter child care, child support paid and, for elderly or disabled members, medical costs.

4. 4
   Add shelter costs

   Enter rent or mortgage and utilities; the tool computes the excess shelter deduction.

5. 5
   Read the estimate

   See the net income, each deduction and the monthly benefit, and edit the tables if your state differs.

About this tool

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program pays a monthly amount that depends on household size, income and certain costs. This estimator follows the federal steps: it checks the gross income limit, subtracts the earned-income deduction, the standard deduction, child care and child support, adds the medical deduction for elderly or disabled members, works out the excess shelter deduction, and then subtracts 30 percent of net income from the maximum allotment. It shows every step so you can see what changes the result, and all limits live in editable tables.

Who this is for Families, students helping parents, caseworkers and community organizations who want a first idea of what a household might receive before filling in an application. It is also useful for seeing how a raise, a new rent or a child care cost would move the benefit.

The formula, step by step First the household must pass the gross income test (130 percent of the poverty line) unless a member is elderly or disabled. Next comes the net income: gross income minus 20 percent of earned income, the standard deduction for the household size, dependent care, child support paid, and for elderly or disabled members medical costs above $35. The excess shelter deduction is rent or mortgage plus utilities minus half of the income left after those deductions, capped for most households. Net income after that must be at or below the net limit (100 percent of poverty). The benefit is the maximum allotment for the household size minus 30 percent of net income, with a minimum for one- and two-person households.

Why the number may differ from your state States set their own standard utility allowances, may use broad-based categorical eligibility that raises or removes the gross limit and apply their own verification and work rules. Rules for work requirements and for non-citizens were changed by federal law in 2025, and some groups are not eligible at all. The tool therefore shows an estimate of the federal formula for the 48 states and D.C., not an eligibility decision.

Worked example A household of three has $2,200 of earnings, pays $900 rent and $250 for utilities. Earned-income deduction $440 and standard deduction $217 leave $1,543. Half of that is $771.50, so the excess shelter deduction is $1,150 minus $771.50, which is $378.50. Net income is $1,164.50. Thirty percent is $349.35. The maximum for three people is $808, so the estimated benefit is $459 a month.

Tips Use gross monthly income before tax. Count only people who buy and prepare food together. Enter child care and child support that you actually pay. If you are elderly or disabled, add medical costs. Edit the tables if your state shows different allowances.

Limits This is not an application and not advice. Only your state agency can decide eligibility and the final amount.

Worked example

With a household of three, $2,200 of earnings, $900 rent and $250 utilities, the tool shows net income of $1,164.50 and an estimated benefit of $459 per month.