South Dakota SNAP income limits, October 2026 to September 2027
In South Dakota, a household can get SNAP if gross income is $1,729 a month or less for 1 person, or $3,575 for a family of 4. That is 130% of the federal poverty line. After deductions, net income 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
- South Dakota Department of Social Services
South Dakota SNAP monthly income limits by household size
| Household size | Gross income limit (130%) | Net income limit (100%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $1,729 | $1,330 |
| 2 people | $2,345 | $1,804 |
| 3 people | $2,960 | $2,277 |
| 4 people | $3,575 | $2,750 |
| 5 people | $4,191 | $3,224 |
| 6 people | $4,806 | $3,697 |
| 7 people | $5,421 | $4,170 |
| 8 people | $6,037 | $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 $616 (gross) and $474 (net). From the 2026 poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and DC, rounded up as USDA does.
South Dakota's rules: tiers, assets and who skips the gross test
- Gross limit. South Dakota applies the federal 130% gross test, then the 100% net test, with no broad-based categorical eligibility.
- Assets. Federal asset limits apply: $3,000 in countable resources, or $4,750 if someone in the household is 60 or older or has a disability (FY2027). Your home and most retirement savings don't count.
- 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 South Dakota
- South Dakota does not use broad-based categorical eligibility, so the federal 130% gross test and the asset test apply.
- When we checked, South Dakota DSS's SNAP page still showed FY2026 limits.
South Dakota compared with neighboring states
For a household of 3, South Dakota's gross limit of $2,960 a month is the same as earning about $17.08 an hour at 40 hours a week.
2025 federal law: what changes for South Dakota 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 South Dakota
- Online: South Dakota Economic Assistance portal
- South Dakota Department of Social Services: SNAP information
- Only the South Dakota Department of Social 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
- South Dakota state agency page checked on October 12, 2026: https://dss.sd.gov/economicassistance/snap.aspx
- 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.