SNAP broad-based categorical eligibility by state 2027.

What broad-based categorical eligibility means

FNS describes BBCE as a policy in which households may become categorically eligible for SNAP because they qualify for a non-cash Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or state maintenance-of-effort (MOE) funded benefit, often a referral service or brochure that every applicant receives. The FNS chart records which states do this, which households the program covers, the asset limit of the program, and its gross income limit as a percentage of the federal poverty guidelines.

FNS also states that BBCE cannot limit eligibility: households that are not eligible for the program that confers categorical eligibility may apply and receive SNAP under regular rules. Under regular rules, households with elderly or disabled members do not need to meet the gross income limit but must meet the net income limit.

State limits in dollars

The table converts each state's percentage into a monthly dollar limit using the 2026 poverty guidelines (Alaska and Hawaii use their own). Dollar limits are rounded up to a whole dollar, the way FNS rounds its own tables. Spread across the list: 130%: 8 jurisdictions; 150%: 1 jurisdiction; 160%: 1 jurisdiction; 165%: 5 jurisdictions; 175%: 1 jurisdiction; 185%: 3 jurisdictions; 200%: 29 jurisdictions.

Arkansas's $5,500 limit is permitted for a 12-month consecutive period and can only be granted every five years, according to the FNS footnote; afterwards a $4,500 limit applies to elderly or disabled households and $3,000 to others. Texas counts assets up to $5,000 and excludes one vehicle up to $22,000 while counting excess vehicle value. Nebraska's limit is $25,000 for liquid assets.

Worked example

A household of 4 in Texas with $4,400 of gross monthly income is over the federal 130% limit of $3,575, but Texas lists 165%, which is $4,538 a month for 4, so the household is under the state's BBCE limit. The same household in Alabama, which lists 130%, would be over the limit of $3,575, and in California at 200% ($5,500) it would be under.

Method

Each dollar limit is the percentage of the federal poverty guideline for the household size, divided by 12 and rounded up to the next whole dollar, which reproduces every figure in the FNS tables (for example 130% of $21,640 is $2,344.33 a month, published as $2,345). Broad-based categorical eligibility limits use the same arithmetic with the percentage FNS lists for the state. The page screens one income test; it does not apply deductions, assets or the other eligibility rules. Choose a state and a household size to see its limit; for Arkansas and New York both rows are shown.

What this does not cover

• State standard utility allowances, deductions or caseworker rules.
• Whether a particular household is categorically eligible; that is decided on the application.
• Guam and the Virgin Islands beyond the percentages FNS lists (Guam 165%, Virgin Islands 175%).
• Policy changes after FNS's June 29, 2026 update.

Figures read from the sources below on November 9, 2026. Last updated November 9, 2026.

Sources

• USDA FNS: SNAP FY 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (page updated November 4, 2026) (retrieved November 9, 2026)
• USDA FNS: Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (page updated June 29, 2026) (retrieved November 9, 2026)
• HHS ASPE: 2026 Poverty Guidelines (retrieved November 9, 2026)