SNAP, Medicaid and CHIP income limits by state

What the 2025 federal law changed

Public Law 119-21, signed July 4, 2025, did not change the SNAP income limits or the Medicaid and CHIP percentages on our pages. It changed who must meet work rules, which non-citizens qualify, some deductions and how often coverage is renewed. Dates are the ones written in the law.

SNAP

• Work rules now reach age 64. Adults without dependents can get SNAP for only 3 months in 3 years unless they work or train 80 hours a month. This now applies from 18 through 64 (it was 18 through 54). Parents are exempt only if they care for a child under 14 (it was under 18), and the exemptions for veterans, people experiencing homelessness and former foster youth were removed. In the law since July 4, 2025. (Section 10102(a))
• Fewer non-citizens qualify. SNAP is limited to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders, after the usual waiting rules), Cuban and Haitian entrants and citizens of the Compact of Free Association nations. Most refugees and people granted asylum no longer qualify. In the law since July 4, 2025. (Section 10108)
• Internet bills no longer count toward the shelter deduction. This lowers net income deductions, and so benefits, for some households. It does not change the gross income limits on this page. In the law since July 4, 2025. (Section 10104)
• Utility allowance through energy assistance limited. Only households with a member who is elderly or has a disability get the heating and cooling utility allowance just because they receive energy assistance (LIHEAP). Again, this affects deductions, not the gross limit. In the law since July 4, 2025. (Section 10103)
• States will pay part of benefit costs. From fiscal year 2028, states with higher payment error rates pay up to 15% of SNAP benefit costs. This could lead some states to lower or drop the higher limits they set through categorical eligibility; we re-check every state each October. From October 1, 2027, the start of fiscal year 2028. (Section 10105)

Medicaid and CHIP

• Work requirement for expansion adults. Adults 19-64 covered through Medicaid expansion must show 80 hours a month of work, community service, a work program or half-time school, or qualify for an exemption, to enroll and stay enrolled. States may start earlier. No later than January 1, 2027 (confirmed by CMS's interim final rule, June 3, 2026). (Section 71119)
• Fewer non-citizens qualify for federally funded coverage. Federal Medicaid and CHIP funding is limited to citizens, lawful permanent residents, Cuban and Haitian entrants and citizens of the Compact of Free Association nations. Other lawfully present immigrants, such as refugees and people granted asylum, lose federally funded coverage unless the state pays. From October 1, 2026. (Section 71109)
• Renewals every 6 months for expansion adults. Expansion adults must have their eligibility re-checked every 6 months instead of every year. Renewals from January 1, 2027. (Section 71107)
• Shorter retroactive coverage. Medicaid can pay medical bills from before you applied for only 1 month (expansion adults) or 2 months (everyone else), instead of 3. Applications from January 1, 2027. (Section 71112)
• Cost sharing for expansion adults above the poverty line. Expansion adults with income above 100% of poverty can be charged up to $35 per service, capped at 5% of family income. From October 1, 2028. (Section 71120)

Source: Public Law 119-21 on govinfo.gov.