SNAP income limits work differently for seniors, who get special deductions and relaxed tests. Here is what counts and how to qualify.
What are the 2025 SNAP income limits for seniors?
Most households must meet a gross income limit of 130% of the federal poverty level, but households with a member age 60 or older or with a disability are often exempt from the gross income test and only need to meet the net income limit of 100% of poverty — about $1,255 per month for one person in 2025. The asset limit is also higher for senior and disabled households, at roughly $4,500 in countable resources. Your home and retirement accounts usually do not count. Limits adjust each October, and some states use Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility to raise them further.
What income deductions help seniors qualify for SNAP?
Seniors get valuable deductions that lower their countable income and can boost benefits. The biggest is the medical expense deduction: out-of-pocket medical costs over $35 per month — including Medicare premiums, copays, prescriptions, dental, and transportation to appointments — can be subtracted. There is also a standard deduction, an excess shelter deduction for high rent or utilities, and no cap on the shelter deduction for households with an elderly or disabled member. These deductions mean a senior whose gross income looks too high on paper often still qualifies once medical and housing costs are subtracted.
How to check if you qualify on a fixed income
Because of senior-specific rules, the only reliable way to know if you qualify is to apply or get screened — many seniors who assume they earn too much actually qualify after deductions. Social Security counts as income, but medical premiums and high housing costs reduce what counts. Your state SNAP office or local Area Agency on Aging can run the numbers for you. If you want plain-English help understanding the deductions and whether your Medicare costs lower your countable income, call 1-800-MEDIGAP and we will help you make sense of the limits before you apply.