Montana SNAP

Montana	At a glance
Fiscal year	October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027
Maximum monthly benefit	$306 for one person, $808 for a family of three¹
Gross income limit	200% of the federal poverty level: $2,660 per month for one person, $4,553 for a family of three
Resource limit	No limit for most households²
Where to apply	Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services

Montana SNAP helps low-income individuals and families afford a nutritionally adequate diet by providing monthly food assistance, with priority given to older adults and people with disabilities.

As a condition of eligibility, all SNAP recipients who aren’t exempt are required to register for work, accept an offer of suitable work, or take part in an employment and training program ³

Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) must comply with special work rules. Otherwise, receipt of SNAP benefits is limited to no more than 3 months within a 36-month period. ⁴

FAQ

Who is eligible for SNAP in Montana?

In order to qualify for SNAP, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Live in Montana
Be a US Citizen or a lawful permanent resident
Show proof of identity
Meet income limits and other financial eligibility rules

What is the income limit for SNAP benefits in Montana?

Most families in Montana with gross income up to 200% of the federal poverty level, or about $4,553 per month for a family of three, may qualify for food stamps. There is no asset test for most households in Montana.

SNAP monthly income limits by household size, Montanans
Household Size	100%Net Income	200%Gross Income
1	$1,330	$2,660
2	$1,803	$3,607
3	$2,277	$4,553
4	$2,750	$5,500
5	$3,223	$6,447
6	$3,697	$7,393
7	$4,170	$8,340
8	$4,643	$9,287

Effective October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. Gross income limit applies to most households, except when at least one member is age 60 or older or receives disability income; in these cases, only the net income test applies.

Montanans, are you eligible for SNAP?

Find out if you may qualify and get an estimated amount of benefits you could receive.

What is the asset limit for SNAP in Montana?

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) lists Montana among the states that apply broad-based categorical eligibility, under which households that receive a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funded service are not subject to an asset limit.²

Households that are not categorically eligible are tested under regular SNAP rules, with a resource limit of $3,000, or $4,750 when a member is age 60 or older or has a disability.¹

How much is SNAP in Montana?

SNAP benefits in Montana vary based on household size, income, and allowable expenses. For example, a family of three with no income may receive up to $808 per month in SNAP benefits.

Maximum monthly SNAP benefits by household size
Household Size	SNAP Benefits
1	$306
2	$562
3	$808
4	$1,023
5	$1,217
6	$1,463
7	$1,616
8	$1,841

The actual SNAP benefit amounts are based on a household’s net income with a general rule that an increase of $100 in net income results in a reduction of $30 in benefits. Use our SNAP calculator to estimate the amount of benefits you can expect to receive.

Benefits are provided on the “Montana Access Card” which is an electronic card that can be used to make food purchases at grocery stores and supermarkets.

What deductions lower countable income for SNAP in Montana?

SNAP subtracts deductions from gross income to arrive at net income. The monthly benefit equals the maximum allotment minus 30% of net income. A household of one or two people that qualifies receives at least $24 per month.⁵

Deduction	Amount for fiscal year 2027
Standard deduction	$217 for one to three people, $229 for four, $268 for five and $308 for six or more
Earned income deduction	20% of earned income
Dependent care	Actual cost of care needed for work, training or school
Medical expenses	Out-of-pocket costs above $35 per month, for a household member age 60 or older or with a disability
Excess shelter	Shelter costs above half of the income remaining after other deductions, limited to $769 per month unless a member is age 60 or older or has a disability
Homeless shelter	$205.66 standard deduction for eligible households

Shelter costs include rent or mortgage payments and utilities. A household that pays heating or cooling costs may use the standard utility allowance in place of actual bills.¹

How much food stamps for a family of 3 in Montana?

A household of 3 with $2,000 in monthly earned income and $1,000 in monthly rent, and that pays heating costs, receives $624 per month in SNAP benefits. The benefit is the maximum allotment for 3 people, $808, minus 30% of the net income that remains after the deductions in the table below.

Step	Amount
Gross monthly income	$2,000
Earned income deduction (20%)	−$400
Standard deduction (household of 3)	−$217
Income after those deductions	$1,383
Shelter costs: $1,000 rent plus $799 standard utility allowance	$1,799
Half of income after those deductions	$691.50
Excess shelter deduction ($1,107.50, limited to the $769 cap)	−$769
Net income	$614
30% of net income	$184
Monthly benefit (maximum allotment minus $184)	$624

The figures are estimates. The Office of Public Assistance determines the actual benefit after verifying income and expenses. The standard utility allowance is the fiscal year 2026 amount published by the Food and Nutrition Service.¹

Who must meet the SNAP work rules in Montana?

Federal rules apply the able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) time limit to adults ages 18 to 64 who are not otherwise exempt. The exception for a household member responsible for a dependent child applies only when the child is under age 14.

An adult subject to the time limit may receive SNAP for only three months in a 36-month period unless the adult works, volunteers or takes part in a qualifying program for 80 hours per month.⁶

Which adults are exempt from the SNAP work rules in Montana?

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) states that, effective July 4, 2025, the exceptions for homeless individuals, veterans and former foster youth no longer apply, and new exceptions apply to Indians, Urban Indians and California Indians as defined in federal law. State agencies must screen for exceptions at each application and recertification.⁶

How do I apply for SNAP in Montana?

You may apply for SNAP online through apply.mt.gov under “Apply for Assistance” or in person at any local Office of Public Assistance. ⁷

Eligibility pre-screening is also available under “Am I Eligible,” which can help determine your likely eligibility for cash and medical benefits.

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Office of Public Assistance
(888) 706-1535

What documents are needed for SNAP benefits in Montana?

When you apply for SNAP, you may be asked to provide the following documents:

A valid photo ID
A valid Social Security Number
Proof of residency (where you live)
Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status
Proof of earned and unearned income
Any additional documents needed to verify your household’s situation

How long does it take to get SNAP in Montana?

If you qualify for SNAP benefits, you will get them no later than 30 days from the date of the application. However, families with little or no money ⁸ may be eligible for expedited SNAP and have their first benefits within 7 days.

Sources & notes

Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, SNAP Fiscal Year 2027 Maximum Allotments and Deductions , and SNAP Standard Utility Allowances by State. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility , state chart, June 2026. ↩ ↩²
SNAP E&T program is a component of SNAP that helps recipients gain skills and find work to move towards self-sufficiency. ↩
Montana’s SNAP has a waiver for the ABAWD (Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents) time limit in certain areas due to high unemployment rates. ↩
Legal Information Institute, 7 CFR 273.9, Income and deductions . ↩
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, ABAWD Exceptions - Implementation Memorandum , October 3, 2025. ↩ ↩²
The Field Offices of Public Assistance can be found on the map here. ↩
Households with less than $150 in monthly gross income and $100 or less in liquid resources. ↩