What is the income limit for SNAP in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility, so most households can qualify with gross income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level — a higher limit than the 130% used by many states. DTA reviews your full situation against the current categorical-eligibility chart when you apply.

How much will I get from SNAP in Massachusetts?

The amount depends on household size, income, and allowable expenses. As a guide, the maximum monthly benefit from Oct. 1, 2026 through Sept. 30, 2027 is $306 for 1 person, $562 for 2, $808 for 3, and $1,023 for 4, rising to $1,841 for 8; each person after that adds $225 up to 17 people, and households of 18 or more have one maximum of $3,887. DTA calculates your exact benefit when you apply.

How do I apply for SNAP in Massachusetts?

You can apply online at DTAConnect.com, by phone through the DTA Assistance Line at 1-877-382-2363, or in person at a local DTA office.

Massachusetts SNAP (Food Stamps)

Last updated: October 15, 2026

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps eligible low-income Massachusetts households buy groceries each month. In Massachusetts, SNAP is administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), and benefits are delivered on an EBT card.

What is SNAP in Massachusetts?

SNAP provides monthly food benefits loaded onto an EBT card, which works like a debit card at any store that accepts SNAP — and for approved online grocery orders. Benefits can be used for foods like fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry and fish, dairy, and bread and cereal. They cannot be used for tobacco, alcohol, vitamins, medicines, or non-food household items.

Who is eligible?

Eligibility is based on household size, income, and certain expenses. Working families, older adults, people with disabilities, and others with limited income may qualify. Massachusetts uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility, which raises the gross income limit and removes the asset test for most households — so more families qualify here than in states that apply the standard federal limits.

Massachusetts income limits

Because Massachusetts uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility, most households can qualify with gross monthly income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level — notably higher than the 130% limit used by many other states. Exact dollar figures by household size are published in DTA's official categorical-eligibility chart, and DTA reviews your full situation when you apply. Households with an elderly or disabled member may follow different rules.

See the current figures in DTA's SNAP eligibility charts and issuance tables.

Massachusetts SNAP income limits and maximum benefits (Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027)

These are the SNAP figures in effect from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027, from USDA’s fiscal year 2027 cost-of-living adjustments and SNAP eligibility page. Massachusetts uses broad-based categorical eligibility, so its gross income limit is higher than the federal 130%: 200% for most households, according to USDA’s June 2026 chart of BBCE states. You may qualify even if your income is close to these amounts; the state agency decides when you apply.

Household size	Gross monthly income limit (200% of poverty)	Net monthly income limit (100% of poverty)	Maximum monthly benefit
1	$2,660	$1,330	$306
2	$3,607	$1,804	$562
3	$4,554	$2,277	$808
4	$5,500	$2,750	$1,023
5	$6,447	$3,224	$1,217
6	$7,394	$3,697	$1,463
7	$8,340	$4,170	$1,616
8	$9,287	$4,644	$1,841
Each additional person (households of 9 to 17)	+$947	+$474	+$225
18 or more people	+$947 for each person over 8	+$474 for each person over 8	$3,887

Households with a member who is 60 or older or has a disability do not have to meet the gross limit, but must meet the net limit (USDA). Net income is income after allowed deductions, such as 20% of earnings and a standard deduction ($217 for households of 1 to 3 in the 48 states and D.C.). The maximum benefit is for a household with no countable income; most households get less.

How we figured the gross limits: we take the HHS 2026 poverty guideline ($15,960 a year for one person), multiply by the percentage, divide by 12 and round up to the next dollar, the same rounding USDA uses for its own SNAP tables. Massachusetts’s own published table may differ by a dollar or two. The net limits and maximum benefits are USDA’s published figures.

How to apply

You can apply for Massachusetts SNAP in several ways. After applying, you will complete an interview and provide documents to verify income and household details.

Apply online

Create an account and apply at DTAConnect.com, where you can also check your case, upload documents, and see your benefit amount.

Apply by phone

Call the DTA Assistance Line at 1-877-382-2363 for help applying and to request free language assistance.

Apply by mail or in person

You can also submit an application by mail or at a local DTA office.

Official source

This guide is based on information from the official program sources: Mass.gov — SNAP and the USDA FNS SNAP eligibility standards. Income limits and benefit amounts can change; always confirm current figures with DTA.

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