Louisiana Food Stamp (SNAP) Income Limits and Benefits Calculator, 2026-27

The federal limits apply in Louisiana: gross $1,729 (130%) and net $1,330 (100%) a month for one person, $3,575 and $2,750 for four. Louisiana's categorical eligibility rule also reaches 200% of the federal poverty level. The FY 2027 Louisiana dollar column for 200 percent is not shown on this page; the 200 percent figure is the percent the state notice gives. A household with an elderly or disabled member only has to meet the net limit.

SNAP (food stamps), now run by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH, formerly DCFS) and applied for through the CAFE customer portal. SNAP and food stamps are the same program, and the figures here are for October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027; the FY 2026 figures (October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026) are on the SNAP income limits page.

Maintained by Archie Chang · Limits and sources checked October 31, 2026 · Methodology & sources

Estimate your SNAP benefit

In SNAP, a member counts as elderly or disabled if they are 60 or older, or receive Supplemental Security Income, certain Social Security, railroad, veterans or state disability payments, or meet another test in the definition in 7 CFR 271.2.

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Enter your monthly utility costs for Louisiana; the state applies its own standard utility allowance when a household qualifies for one. Do not include internet: since Public Law 119-21 it no longer counts.

Your estimate

Estimated SNAP benefit: $306 a month.

Gross income test (October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027)
Pass: $0 is at or below $1,729
Net income test
Not required for categorically eligible households (net income $0)
Maximum allotment for 1 person
$306
30% of net income (rounded up)
$0
Step by step SNAP calculation
StepAmount
Gross monthly income (earned plus unearned)$0
Minus: 20% earned income deduction$0
Minus: Standard deduction for 1 person$217
Minus: Dependent care costs$0
Legally owed child support paid (already taken out of gross income above)$0
Income after the deductions above$0
Shelter costs (rent or mortgage, taxes, insurance)$0
Half of income after the deductions above$0
Minus: Excess shelter deduction (capped at $769)$0
Net monthly income$0
Minus: 30% of net income, rounded up to the next dollar$0
Maximum allotment for 1 person$306
Estimated monthly benefit$306

This is an estimate, not an eligibility decision. Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) decides who is in the household, what income counts and the final benefit. Not modeled: asset (resource) limits, which can decide eligibility for households that are not categorically eligible; work-requirement time limits for able-bodied adults without dependents; student rules and noncitizen eligibility; self-employment cost rules and income exclusions; prorated first months and the $10 initial-month rule; state options beyond the ones sourced on the state pages (for example a standard medical deduction).

Louisiana SNAP income limits by household size

Monthly limits effective October 1, 2026. The federal columns are the standard limits: a household with an elderly or disabled member skips the gross test, and a categorically eligible household skips both tests. The Louisiana column is the categorical eligibility limit.

Louisiana SNAP monthly income limits by household size
Household sizeFederal gross, 130%Federal net, 100%Maximum benefit
1$1,729$1,330$306
2$2,345$1,804$562
3$2,960$2,277$808
4$3,575$2,750$1,023
5$4,191$3,224$1,217
6$4,806$3,697$1,463
7$5,421$4,170$1,616
8$6,037$4,644$1,841
Each additional member+$616+$474+$225 (9th to 17th person)

Louisiana's rule gives 200% of the federal poverty level as the categorical eligibility limit. The FY 2027 Louisiana dollar column for 200 percent is not shown on this page; the 200 percent figure is the percent the state notice gives.

The state's income notice for federal fiscal year 2025 gives a gross standard at 200 percent of the poverty level for a broad-based categorically eligible (BBCE) household, one that qualifies for non-cash benefits such as TANF or state maintenance of effort (MOE) funded assistance. Any gross income at or below the federal 130 percent limit is also within 200 percent, so the calculator treats it as categorically eligible and skips the net test.

“A household is considered a BBCE household if they qualify for non-cash benefits such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or state maintenance of effort (MOE) funded assistance.”
DCFS news item for federal fiscal year 2025, captured July 13, 2026 (source, read from the Internet Archive capture of July 13, 2026)

Louisiana SNAP asset test

LDH uses broad-based categorical eligibility, and if a household is BBCE-eligible its assets are not counted. BBCE does not apply to a household with a disqualified or otherwise ineligible member, and the resource limit then applies: $3,000, or $4,500 for a household with a member who is 60 or older or disabled in the LDH application page (the FY 2027 federal figure is $4,750).

“LDH is also using Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) to expand SNAP eligibility to applicants who have excess assets but who are otherwise income eligible. If a household is BBCE-eligible, assets will not be counted in determining SNAP eligibility.”
LDH SNAP FAQ, captured July 13, 2026 (source, read from the Internet Archive capture of July 13, 2026)
“Certain restrictions do apply. If household members have been disqualified (for program violations, failure to comply with work registration requirements, noncompliance with SSI-required treatment for addiction/alcoholism, conviction of certain crimes, receipt of substantial lottery/gambling winnings) or if a household member is otherwise ineligible (e.g., an ineligible student, ineligible alien, or on strike), Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility will not apply.”
LDH SNAP FAQ, captured July 13, 2026 (source, read from the Internet Archive capture of July 13, 2026)

The federal asset limits for households that are not categorically eligible are $3,000, or $4,750 when a member is 60 or older or disabled (FY 2027).

Louisiana SNAP utility allowances

This page shows no Louisiana utility allowance amount for FY 2027, so the calculator uses the utility costs you enter. Louisiana sets its own standard utility allowance; check the amount on your LDH notice.

Internet costs no longer count toward shelter or utility costs under Public Law 119-21 section 10104, and a LIHEAP or similar payment gives the heating and cooling allowance only to a household with an elderly or disabled member (section 10103).

How to apply for SNAP in Louisiana

The LDH FAQ says you can apply for SNAP online through the CAFE customer portal, or with a paper application sent to LDH by mail or fax, and the LDH application page says you may also apply by phone at 888-524-3578.

Apply through the CAFE customer portal or 888-LAHelp-U.

What the Louisiana calculator uses

  • Gross test: the federal 130% limit, with gross income at or below it treated as categorically eligible where the state rule says so; income above it is shown as "possible", not as a result, because of the Louisiana 200% rule described above.
  • Deductions and maximum benefit: the FY 2027 federal figures shown on this page.
  • Child support you pay: taken out of income by default (7 CFR 273.9(c)(17)); if treating it as a deduction would change your result, the estimate says "possible".
  • Utilities: the utility costs you enter; this page lists no state allowance amounts.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Louisiana SNAP income limits for 2026-27?

The federal limits apply in Louisiana: gross $1,729 (130%) and net $1,330 (100%) a month for one person, $3,575 and $2,750 for four. Louisiana's categorical eligibility rule also reaches 200% of the federal poverty level. The FY 2027 Louisiana dollar column for 200 percent is not shown on this page; the 200 percent figure is the percent the state notice gives. A household with an elderly or disabled member only has to meet the net limit.

Is there an asset test for SNAP (food stamps) in Louisiana?

LDH uses broad-based categorical eligibility, and if a household is BBCE-eligible its assets are not counted. BBCE does not apply to a household with a disqualified or otherwise ineligible member, and the resource limit then applies: $3,000, or $4,500 for a household with a member who is 60 or older or disabled in the LDH application page (the FY 2027 federal figure is $4,750).

What is Louisiana's standard utility allowance for SNAP?

This page shows no Louisiana utility allowance amount for FY 2027, so the calculator uses the utility costs you enter. Louisiana sets its own standard utility allowance; check the amount on your LDH notice.

How do I apply for SNAP in Louisiana?

The LDH FAQ says you can apply for SNAP online through the CAFE customer portal, or with a paper application sent to LDH by mail or fax, and the LDH application page says you may also apply by phone at 888-524-3578. Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) decides eligibility and the benefit amount.

How much SNAP could a Louisiana household get?

The maximum allotment is the same in every one of the 48 states and DC: $306 a month for one person, $562 for two, $1,023 for four. The benefit is that amount minus 30% of net income, rounded up to the next dollar, and a one or two person household that is eligible gets at least $25. The calculator on this page shows every deduction.

Is Louisiana SNAP the same as food stamps?

Yes. In Louisiana the program is described as: SNAP (food stamps), now run by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH, formerly DCFS) and applied for through the CAFE customer portal. The federal program is SNAP, formerly called Food Stamps, so the income limits and benefit formula on this page apply under every one of those names.

Related pages

FedRateCalc is not a government site and cannot decide eligibility. Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) decides each case, and its figures change when it updates them.

Sources

All sources are government pages, read October 31, 2026, except the pages marked below, which were read from Internet Archive captures of the agency page on the date shown.