Follow the maximum allotment minus 30% of net income calculation.
The federal formula
The baseline calculation starts with a maximum allotment for household size. It then subtracts approximately 30% of countable net income. That is why a household with no countable income may receive the maximum while another qualifying household gets less.
A simple example
For a four-person household in the contiguous states or DC, the FY 2026 maximum is $994. If the agency determines net monthly income of $1,000, 30% is $300, producing a preliminary $694 monthly allotment. Actual allotments involve rounding, minimum benefits and other rules.
What the formula cannot decide
Before calculating the amount, the state checks household composition, eligibility tests and documentation. State policy can change the screening path. A calculator that only knows income and household size cannot resolve a person’s complete case.
Compare an official notice
If your notice differs from a rough estimate, request an explanation of the agency’s income, deductions and household size calculations. Correcting a missing deduction can matter more than changing the headline income figure.
Sources and next step
Federal baseline information: USDA eligibility rules and FY 2026 tables. Details vary by state and household. Find your state SNAP agency to apply or verify your case.