Maine Food Stamps Income Limit 2023 Guidelines

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Maine Food Stamps Income Limit 2023 : Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance benefits that help low income households buy the food they need for good health. The amount of food assistance benefits each household receives is based on the Thrifty Food Plan, the model diet plan the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) uses to project the cost of food for one month for different household sizes.

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Maine Food Stamps Income Limit 2023 Guidelines

Under SNAP rules, resources- such as bank accounts, cash real estate, personal property, vehicles, and so forth- are considered in determining whether a household is eligible to get SNAP. Some resources are counted toward the allowable limit and some are not. The SNAP worker will explain which are counted. The resources of people who get public assistance, SSI, and, in some locations, general assistance is not counted toward the limit.

Maine Food Stamps Income Limit 2023 Guidelines

Maine Food Stamps Income Limit 2023 : Most families in Maine with gross income up to 185% of the federal poverty level qualify for food assistance. There is no asset limit in Maine.

Family Size100% Net Income185% Gross Income
1$1,133$2,095
2$1,526$2,823
3$1,919$3,551
4$2,313$4,278
5$2,928$5,418
6$2,706$5,006
7$3,099$5,733
8$3,493$6,461

Gross income limit applies to most households, except those in which at least one person is 60 years of age or older, or receives disability income.

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Who is eligible for this Maine SNAP Program?

To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of Maine and meet one of the following requirements:

  • You have a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001, or
  • You have a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 who share their household with one of the following:
    • A person or persons age 60 and over or
    • A person with a disability (a child, your spouse, a parent, or yourself).

Maine Snap Income Guidelines 2023

Household Size*Maximum Income Level (Per Year)
1$26,973
2$36,482
3$45,991
4$55,500
5$65,009
6$74,518
7$84,027
8$93,536

*For households with more than eight people, add $9,509 per additional person. Always check with the appropriate managing agency to ensure the most accurate guidelines.

Maine Food Stamps Amount 2023

SNAP benefits may vary from family to family depending on a variety of factors, including the household size, income and allowable deductions. For example, a family of three with no income may receive up to $740 in monthly benefits or $440 each month if the family has a net monthly income of $1,000.

Family Size SNAP Benefits
1$281
2$516
3$740
4$939
5$1,116
6$1,339
7$1,480
8$1,691

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.

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Maine Food Stamps Income Limit 2023 Net Income Limits

Gross income minus deductions. At the bottom of the page are some of the expenses that can be deducted to calculate net income. It’s difficult to calculate net income without a SNAP calculator as there are additional deductions based on earned income and limits on amount of shelter-related deductions.

SNAP benefit amounts are based on a household’s net income: in general $100 more in net income = $30 less in benefits.

Households with a member who is 60 or older or has a disability only have to meet this test if they did not pass the Gross Income test above. All other households do not have to meet this test. SNAP benefit amounts are based on Net Income. Even if the household passes all the eligibility tests, Net Income may be too high to get a benefit.

  • 1 people $1133 / month
  • 2 people $1526 / month
  • 3 people $1920 / month
  • 4 people $2313 / month
  • 5 people $2706 / month
  • 6 people $3100 / month
  • 7 people $3493 / month
  • Each additional person+$394 / month

The net income limit is 100% of the federal poverty level.

What do I need to do to apply?

Eligibility for SNAP is based on income, assets, expenses and household size. You will need to fill out an application, complete an interview and provide verification of your household’s income, identity, citizenship status, assets and other items depending on your household circumstances.

How do I apply for Maine SNAP?

Option 1: Apply online through My Maine Connection.

Option 2: Download and mail an application.

Office for Family Independence
114 Corn Shop Lane
Farmington, ME 04938

Option 3: E-mail an application to [email protected]

Option 4: Fax an application to (207) 778-8429.

Temporary Changes to Benefits | Maine Snap Income Guidelines

In response to COVID-19 and related laws, the Office for Family Independence has made a number of temporary changes to safety net programs including SNAP. For more information, please see Resources for the end of the Public Health Emergency above. 

Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)

Maine has been authorized to issue P-EBT benefits to children under age 6 for the 2022-2023 school year.

  • Benefits were issued August 7, and available August 11, 2023.

To be eligible for this program, individuals must meet all of the following criteria:

  • They must have been under age 6 on October 15, 2022.
  • They must have been receiving SNAP benefits in Maine in a given month between August 2022 through May 2023 to be eligible for P-EBT for that month.
  • They cannot be eligible for Free/Reduced-price Meal as a student.

The average monthly benefit for children under 6 is about $39 but varies greatly from month to month. They are based on the average reduction in Child Care Food Program claims for the same month pre-pandemic. August and May each only count as a partial school year month. Children in this group are not eligible for P-EBT benefits after the end of the Public Health Emergency Declaration (May 11, 2023). 

Maine has, also, been authorized to issue P-EBT benefits to eligible school aged children for the 2022-2023 school year.

  • Benefits will be issued as soon as possible. As dates become available they will be updated here.

To be eligible for this program individuals must meet the following criteria for either a traditional student, or a home-schooled/virtual student:

Traditional Students must meet all of the following criteria:

  • They must attend a school that was closed or had reduced attendance due to COVID-19 for 5 consecutive days.
  • They must have been absent from school or attended remotely for five or more days in a row due to COVID-19. P-EBT benefits (of $8.18 per day) are only issued for the days school meals were missed due to COVID-19, for students.
  • They must be eligible for Free/Reduced-price Meal (FaRM) benefits on the USDA National School Lunch Program meal benefit application.

Notes on FaRM eligibility:

  • Any student attending a Community Eligibility Provision or Special Provision II school meets the Free/Reduced-price Meal benefits criteria for P-EBT.
  • Students receiving SNAP or TANF benefits of at least $1 any month during the school year are eligible for Free/Reduced-price Meal benefits under the USDA National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program’s meal benefit application.
  • Students documented as being part of a family engaged in migrant agricultural work are eligible for Free/Reduced-price Meal benefits under the USDA National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program’s meal benefit application.
  • Students documented as experiencing homelessness are eligible for Free/Reduced-price Meal benefits under the USDA National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program’s meal benefit application.
  • Students in foster care through Maine’s DHHS are eligible for Free/Reduced-price Meal benefits under the USDA National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program’s meal benefit application.
  • Students who are eligible for FaRM but do not meet any of the conditions above should APPLY FOR FREE/REDUCED-PRICE MEAL BENEFITS UNDER THE USDA NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH AND SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM THROUGH THEIR SCHOOL BY JUNE 30, 2023.
  • School breakfast and lunch were available at no cost for all Maine students this past year, Universal free lunches in Maine schools do not mean a child is eligible for P-EBT. Students must be eligible for Free/Reduced-price Meal benefits under the USDA National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program’s meal benefit application, or by meeting the requirements listed above.

Home-Schooled Students and those attending fully virtual schools must meet all of the following criteria:

  • They must have been attending a National School Lunch Program participating school on January 27, 2020 or started school after January 27, 2020.
  • They must be home-schooled or attending a fully virtual school due to concerns about COVID.
  • They must be determined otherwise Free/Reduced-price Meal benefit eligible via this application (fillable PDF).

Maine has, also, been authorized to issue P-EBT benefits for students for the summer of 2023.

  • Benefits will be issued as soon as possible. As dates become available they will be updated here.

To be eligible for this program, students must meet all of the following criteria:

  • They must have met the criteria for school aged children for the 2022-2023 school year.  
  • They must have been enrolled in school or home-schooling in June 2023.

Children not yet in school are not eligible for summer P-EBT benefits.

The summer 2023 benefit is $120. 

If no benefits are used from a P-EBT Card/Account for 9 months or more the benefits will be expunged or removed. Once benefits are expunged they cannot be reissued. Any purchases made with the card will restart the 9-month period. Call the number on the back of the card to check the P-EBT balance regularly to be sure you are aware of all benefits. 

How do I set up my pin for my P-EBT card?

Call the number on the back of the P-EBT card, (800) 477-7428. You will need to enter the child’s date of birth and the last four digits of their Social Security Number (SS#). If the child does not have a SS# or it was not provided to OFI you will need to enter 9999.

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How do I check Maine EBT balance? | Maine Snap Income Guidelines

You can check the balance by calling the back of the card, (800) 477-7428. You will need to provide the card number and the card holder’s name and date of birth. If you no longer have the card, you can call (855) 797-4357 to order a replacement card.

Utility Allowances | Maine Snap Income Guidelines 2023

Households can only receive one utility allowance. If a household qualifies for multiple allowances, choose the highest allowance.

Heating and Cooling: If a household pays utility bills for heating and cooling, or receives over $20 in heating assistance from LIHEAP, this allowance can be claimed.

Basic Utility Allowance: If a household pays for two or more utility bills (including electricity, gas, water, sewage, trash, or telephone), this allowance can be claimed.

Single Utilities: If a household pays for the utility, this allowance can be claimed.

  • Heating And Cooling $1075
  • Basic Limited Allowance $363
  • Phone $62

Standard Medical Deduction | Maine Food Stamps Income Limit

Monthly out of pocket medical expenses for household members who are 60 or older or have a disability can be deducted from net income. You can deduct the full amount of expenses (minus $35) with verification, but in some states there is a standard medical deduction that can be used without needing to verify all expenses.

Other Deductions | Maine Food Stamps Income Limit 2023

Households can receive deductions for the following expenses. Shelter deductions (utilities, rent, and homeowners insurance) only apply for the amount that total shelter expenses exceed a percentage of household income, and are limited to a maximum amount if the household does not contain a member who is 60 or older or has a disability.

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