New Jersey SNAP income limits, October 2026 to September 2027
In New Jersey, a household can get SNAP if gross income is $2,461 a month or less for 1 person, or $5,088 for a family of 4. That is 185% of the federal poverty line, higher than the federal 130% because New Jersey uses broad-based categorical eligibility. Net income after deductions decides how much you get; households outside categorical eligibility must also be at or below $1,330 (1 person) or $2,750 (4 people).
- Effective
- Oct 1, 2026 to Sep 30, 2027 (FY2027)
- Last verified
- Run by
- New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development
New Jersey SNAP monthly income limits by household size
| Household size | Gross income limit (185%) | Net income limit (100%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $2,461 | $1,330 |
| 2 people | $3,337 | $1,804 |
| 3 people | $4,212 | $2,277 |
| 4 people | $5,088 | $2,750 |
| 5 people | $5,964 | $3,224 |
| 6 people | $6,839 | $3,697 |
| 7 people | $7,715 | $4,170 |
| 8 people | $8,591 | $4,644 |
Gross: before taxes and deductions. Net: after SNAP's deductions for earnings, housing, dependent care and, for elderly or disabled members, medical costs. Each extra person adds $876 (gross) and $474 (net). From the 2026 poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and DC, rounded up as USDA does.
New Jersey's rules: tiers, assets and who skips the gross test
- Gross limit. Most households face the 185% gross test through categorical eligibility; a household outside it faces the federal 130% test, the 100% net test and an asset limit. Net income also sets the benefit, so households near the limit may get a small benefit or none.
- Assets. No asset limit for most households: the state uses broad-based categorical eligibility, so savings and cars are not counted.
- Elderly or disabled members. The household can qualify by passing the net test alone, without the gross test. An elderly or disabled person who can't buy and cook separately can be their own SNAP household if the others earn under $2,195 a month for 1 person (165%).
What we found checking New Jersey
- New Jersey's limit is 185% of poverty for all households. Households with a member 60 or older or with a disability may qualify above it.
- New Jersey's eligibility page says its figures are valid October 2026 to September 2027, and New Jersey tops up the minimum benefit to $95 a month.
New Jersey compared with neighboring states
For a household of 3, New Jersey's gross limit of $4,212 a month is the same as earning about $24.30 an hour at 40 hours a week.
| State | Limit | 1 person | 4 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 185% | $2,461 | $5,088 |
| Delaware | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 |
| New York | 150% | $1,995 | $4,125 |
| Pennsylvania | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 |
2025 federal law: what changes for New Jersey households
Public Law 119-21 left the income limits above alone. The two changes most likely to affect who qualifies:
- 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.
- 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.
Also in the law: internet bills no longer count toward the shelter deduction (in the law since July 4, 2025); utility allowance through energy assistance limited (in the law since July 4, 2025); states will pay part of benefit costs (from October 1, 2027, the start of fiscal year 2028). More on the 2025 changes.
How to apply in New Jersey
- Online: NJHelps
- New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development: SNAP information
- Only the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development can decide whether you qualify and how much you get. Apply even if you are close to the limit: deductions often bring net income under it.
Sources
- New Jersey state agency page checked on October 12, 2026: https://nj.gov/humanservices/njsnap/apply/eligibility
- USDA FNS, SNAP FY2027 income eligibility standards
- USDA FNS, broad-based categorical eligibility chart (June 29, 2026)
- HHS 2026 poverty guidelines
- Public Law 119-21 (2025)
Limits checked against USDA and the state agency on ; page updated . We re-check every state when SNAP limits change each October. See how we verify benefits limits.