North Carolina SNAP income limits, October 2026 to September 2027
In North Carolina, a household can get Food and Nutrition Services (SNAP) if gross income is $2,660 a month or less for 1 person, or $5,500 for a family of 4. That is 200% of the federal poverty line, higher than the federal 130% because North Carolina 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
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
North Carolina SNAP monthly income limits by household size
| Household size | Gross income limit (200%) | Net income limit (100%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $2,660 | $1,330 |
| 2 people | $3,607 | $1,804 |
| 3 people | $4,554 | $2,277 |
| 4 people | $5,500 | $2,750 |
| 5 people | $6,447 | $3,224 |
| 6 people | $7,394 | $3,697 |
| 7 people | $8,340 | $4,170 |
| 8 people | $9,287 | $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 $947 (gross) and $474 (net). From the 2026 poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and DC, rounded up as USDA does.
North Carolina's rules: tiers, assets and who skips the gross test
- Gross limit. Most households face the 200% 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 North Carolina
- North Carolina's program is called Food and Nutrition Services (FNS).
- NCDHHS Change Notice 04-2026 ('Maximum Monthly Income, effective October 1, 2026') matches this table. A public NCDHHS income-limits flyer we found is out of date (October 2022 to September 2023).
North Carolina compared with neighboring states
For a household of 3, North Carolina's gross limit of $4,554 a month is the same as earning about $26.27 an hour at 40 hours a week.
| State | Limit | 1 person | 4 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 |
| Georgia | 130% | $1,729 | $3,575 |
| South Carolina | 130% | $1,729 | $3,575 |
| Tennessee | Being verified | ||
| Virginia | 200% | $2,660 | $5,500 |
2025 federal law: what changes for North Carolina 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 North Carolina
- Online: ePASS
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: Food and Nutrition Services information
- Phone: 1-800-662-7030
- Only the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services 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
- North Carolina state agency page checked on October 12, 2026: https://policies.ncdhhs.gov/wp-content/uploads/FNS-CN-04-2026a3.pdf
- 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.