Income Limits

The rules for getting SNAP in Connecticut require that a person must be a resident of Connecticut whose income is within set limits. For some households, there is also an asset limit. 

The income standards for SNAP are based the federal poverty levels (FPL). All income standards listed in the following table below are effective indefinitely since the FPLs for 2010 are not known at this time. There are gross and net income limits.  The gross income limit is equal to 185% of the current Federal Poverty Level and is the amount of income the household has before taxes and deductions. The gross income limit does not apply to households in which at least one person is 60 years of age or older, or receives disability income. However, such households are subject to a net income limit. The net income limit is equal to the current Federal Poverty Level and is the amount left over after certain deductions are allowed. These deductions are established by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

Income Limits

Household Size	Gross Income Limit	Net Income Limit
1	$1,671	$903
2	$2,248	$1215
3	$2,823	$1526
4	$3,400	$1838

There is no asset limit EXCEPT for households whose gross income is more than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. For those households, total assets including cash, savings accounts, stocks and bonds cannot be more than $3000. We do not include the home the client lives in as an asset, nor do we put a lien on the home.  We also do not count vehicles or retirement accounts, such as IRAs.This rule applies to households with elderly or disabled members if their household's gross income is more than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.

A "household" is all the people who live together and buy and prepare food together. Once a household meets the eligibility requirements, we calculate the amount of the household’s SNAP benefit based on the household’s income and certain allowable deductions for shelter, dependent care expenses, medical costs and child support payments to others outside the household.  Shelter costs are rent and mortgage payments, heating or cooling not included in rent, and utility and monthly telephone services charges. 

As of April 1, 2009, the maximum SNAP benefit amounts are listed in the table below. The maximum benefit amounts are effective indefinitely. 

For a household of:	the maximum SNAP benefit is:
1	$200 monthly
2	$367 monthly
3	$526 monthly
4	$668 monthly

To find out if you may be eligible for SNAP based on income, follow this link: End Hunger Connecticut's SNAP Prescreener