Federal and state food programs that put groceries on the table.

SNAP (formerly food stamps) uses two income tests: gross income must generally be under 130% of the federal poverty level, and net income (after allowed deductions) must be under 100%. Households with a member who is 60+ or disabled only have to pass the net test.

Deductions matter: SNAP subtracts a standard deduction, 20% of earned income, dependent care costs, medical costs above $35 for elderly/disabled members, and excess shelter costs. These often qualify households that look ineligible on paper.

Maximum monthly benefits for federal fiscal year 2026 are around $292 for one person and $975 for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states — with higher amounts in Alaska and Hawaii.

WIC provides specific healthy foods — fruit, vegetables, milk, eggs, whole grains, infant formula, and baby food — plus nutrition counseling and breastfeeding support. Eligibility runs up to 185% of the federal poverty level, so many working families qualify.

You don't have to be on SNAP or Medicaid to qualify, though being enrolled in either automatically meets the income test. Benefits load onto an eWIC card that works at most major grocery chains.

The National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs give kids free or reduced-price meals during the school year. Many high-poverty schools now use Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which makes meals free for every student without individual applications.

Summer EBT (branded SUN Bucks in participating states) gives roughly $120 per child in grocery benefits over the summer — automatically for kids already enrolled in free/reduced-price meals in most states.