Maryland SNAP (Food Stamps): 2026 Income Limits and Moving In or Out
Moving TO Maryland
Food Supplement Program (Maryland's SNAP program) does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new Maryland resident applies fresh through Maryland Department of Human Services. There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on Maryland's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.
Leaving Maryland
Leaving Maryland ends your Food Supplement Program (Maryland's SNAP program) case — no state will take it over. Close the case with Maryland Department of Human Services effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.
Official agency: Maryland Department of Human Services ↗ (application page)
Maryland SNAP at a glance
| Program name | Food Supplement Program |
|---|---|
| Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility | Yes |
| Gross income limit | 200% of the federal poverty level |
| Processing | Federal SNAP standard: 30 days; expedited service within 7 days |
Maryland SNAP income limits by household size (FY2027)
These limits apply October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027. Maryland uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE), which sets its gross income limit at 200% of the federal poverty level.
| Household size | Gross monthly limit (200% FPL) | Maximum monthly benefit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $2,660 | $306 |
| 2 people | $3,607 | $562 |
| 3 people | $4,554 | $808 |
| 4 people | $5,500 | $1,023 |
| 5 people | $6,447 | $1,217 |
| 6 people | $7,394 | $1,463 |
| 7 people | $8,340 | $1,616 |
| 8 people | $9,287 | $1,841 |
| Each additional person | +$947 | +$225 |
- Gross limits are computed as 200% of the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines (48 contiguous states and DC) ÷ 12, rounded up — USDA's method for its own tables. Maryland computes its BBCE limits itself and its chart may differ by a dollar; the state chart controls. Maximum benefits are USDA's published FY2027 allotments.
- BBCE usually relaxes or removes the asset test; ask Maryland Department of Human Services for Maryland's rule. A household with a member 60+ or disabled whose income is above this limit can still qualify under the regular federal net-income test. Benefit amounts are calculated from net income, so most households get less than the maximum.
Federal sources: USDA SNAP FY2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (published 2026-08-21) · HHS 2026 Poverty Guidelines (91 FR 1797) (published 2026-01-15)
How to apply for SNAP in Maryland
Apply with Maryland Department of Human Services online at mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us, which runs the program as Food Supplement Program. Go to the official application page ↗
Processing time: Federal SNAP standard: 30 days; expedited service within 7 days.
Common questions
What is the SNAP income limit in Maryland?
Maryland's gross income limit is 200% of the federal poverty level: $2,660 a month for one person and $5,500 for a household of four, for October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.
Can I use my Maryland EBT card in another state?
Yes. SNAP EBT cards work at authorized stores in every state, so you can spend benefits already on the card after you move. But you can only receive SNAP from the state you live in: report the move to Maryland Department of Human Services, then apply in your new state.
How do I apply for SNAP in Maryland?
Apply with Maryland Department of Human Services online at mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us, which runs the program as Food Supplement Program. Processing time: federal SNAP standard: 30 days; expedited service within 7 days.
Who runs SNAP in Maryland?
Maryland Department of Human Services, which runs the program as Food Supplement Program. The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.
Does Maryland make new residents wait for SNAP?
No state may impose a residency waiting period for SNAP. You apply as soon as you live in Maryland; eligibility is decided on Maryland's own rules.
Where do I report that I'm leaving Maryland?
Report your move to your local department of social services or call the DHS helpline at 1-800-332-6347 and ask to close your Food Supplement case before applying in your new state — no SNAP in two states in the same month.
Every move involving Maryland
From Maryland to…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
To Maryland from…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Other benefits in Maryland
- Medicaid in Maryland
- WIC in Maryland
- Unemployment in Maryland
- TANF in Maryland
- SNAP in every state
- State benefits statistics
Terms on this page: Federal poverty level (FPL) · Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) · Expedited SNAP · EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer)
Official sources
Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified .
- USDA FNS SNAP State Directory — Maryland — accessed 2026-08-08
- USDA FNS BBCE state chart — accessed 2026-08-08
- MD DHS Food Supplement Program — accessed 2026-08-08