Do the food stamp income guidelines vary by state?

All continental states except Alaska have the same guidelines for eligibility to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. SNAP provides monthly food benefits to eligible households and was previously called the Food Stamp Program.

To qualify for SNAP, households need to meet requirements for resources and gross and net income. In Alaska and Hawaii, the limits for gross and net income are higher than in the other states. Eligible households automatically receive a monthly allotment through an Electronic Benefit Transfer, or EBT, card that can be used at specific grocery stores. The monthly benefit amount depends on the eligible household's net income and size. Despite the requirements for SNAP being the same in all 48 states and the District of Columbia, every state has its own application form and process.