09/16/2026
The SNAP income limit for people 60 and older is one of the most misread numbers in the program.
Turning 60 does not mean SNAP stops looking at income.
What changes is which test applies.
Most households must pass both a gross income test and a net income test. A household with a member age 60 or older or disabled skips the gross test and only has to pass the net test, which is measured after allowed deductions.
Starting October 1, 2026, the FY 2027 net income limit in the 48 states and D.C. is $1,330 a month for one person and $1,804 for two.
That is why someone with gross income above $1,330 can still qualify.
For the older or disabled member, unreimbursed medical costs above $35 a month reduce net income. Health insurance and Medicare premiums, prescriptions, dental work, and medical transportation can all count.
Housing matters too. Shelter costs above half of the household's income after other deductions are deducted, and the $769 federal cap on that deduction does not apply when a member is 60 or older or disabled.
One wrinkle: adults 60 and older are exempt from SNAP's general work registration, but a 2025 law extended the separate 80-hour-a-month time limit through age 64, so some people ages 60 to 64 can still face it unless another exception applies. Age 65 and older is exempt from that time limit.
The practical takeaway is not to look at one income number and assume you are over the line. Household composition, deductions, and state rules all change the answer.
P.S. Once a week, I email the best money article I read, with my take on this week's top Facebook posts and what's new on the Ways to Wealth blog. It's free, and you can sign up on the Ways to Wealth home page.
R.J. Weiss, CFP®
The content shared here is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not personalized investment, tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult a licensed professional before making decisions based on your specific situation.
