Minnesota SNAP (Food Stamps): 2026 Income Limits and Moving In or Out
Moving TO Minnesota
Minnesota SNAP does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new Minnesota resident applies fresh through Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families. There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on Minnesota's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.
Leaving Minnesota
Leaving Minnesota ends your Minnesota SNAP case — no state will take it over. Close the case with Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.
Official agency: Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families ↗ (application page)
Minnesota SNAP at a glance
| Program name | Minnesota SNAP |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Minnesota SNAP income limits by household size (FY2027)
These limits apply October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027. Minnesota 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. Minnesota 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 Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families for Minnesota'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 Minnesota
Apply with Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families online at mnbenefits.mn.gov. 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 Minnesota?
Minnesota'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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, then apply in your new state.
How do I apply for SNAP in Minnesota?
Apply with Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families online at mnbenefits.mn.gov. Processing time: federal SNAP standard: 30 days; expedited service within 7 days.
Who runs SNAP in Minnesota?
Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.
Does Minnesota make new residents wait for SNAP?
No state may impose a residency waiting period for SNAP. You apply as soon as you live in Minnesota; eligibility is decided on Minnesota's own rules.
Where do I report that I'm leaving Minnesota?
SNAP in Minnesota is administered by county and Tribal Nation offices — report your move to your county or Tribal Nation human services office (or via MNbenefits) and ask to close your SNAP case before applying in your new state — no SNAP in two states in the same month.
Every move involving Minnesota
From Minnesota to…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- 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 Minnesota from…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- 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 Minnesota
- Medicaid in Minnesota
- WIC in Minnesota
- Unemployment in Minnesota
- TANF in Minnesota
- 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 .
- MN DCYF SNAP — accessed 2026-08-08
- USDA FNS BBCE state chart — accessed 2026-08-08
- USDA FNS SNAP State Directory — Minnesota — accessed 2026-08-08