Updated July 29, 2026. SNAP approvals last for a fixed certification period, after which you must recertify with your state agency. Federal rules come from the USDA Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA), formerly the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), but your state runs the renewal. FY2026 figures below are effective Oct. 1, 2025–Sep. 30, 2026 for the 48 contiguous states and DC; Alaska and Hawaii differ.
How long certification periods last
Under federal rules, certification periods are generally capped at 12 months, set based on how predictable your circumstances are. Households in which every adult is age 60+ or disabled may generally be certified for up to 24 months, with the agency required to contact them at least once every 12 months. Your approval notice states your period; your state must send a notice before it expires.
Steps in the 2026 renewal
- Watch for the notice your state sends before your period ends, then submit the recertification form by the deadline (online, phone, mail, or in person in many states).
- Complete the interview if your state requires one at recertification.
- Provide updated proof of income, housing and utility costs, dependent care, and medical expenses for elderly or disabled members.
- Get your decision. Your benefit is recalculated as the maximum allotment for your household size minus 30% of your net income, so the amount may change. If you disagree, you can generally request a fair hearing within 90 days.
What you must report between renewals
Most households are on simplified reporting. If certified longer than 6 months, you generally file an interim report between months 4 and 6; households where all members are elderly or disabled with no earned income, certified 13–24 months, generally report just once a year. Between reports, you must still promptly report three things: gross income rising above your household’s 130% limit, an ABAWD’s work hours dropping below 20 per week, and substantial lottery or gambling winnings ($4,500 or more in FY2026). Households on traditional change reporting must generally report income changes of more than $125 per month. Your state notice controls which rules apply to you.
The FY2026 limits your renewal is checked against
Recertification re-tests your income. Most households must meet the gross (130% FPL) and net (100% FPL) monthly limits below; households with a member age 60+ or disabled generally take only the net test, and a separate 165% FPL threshold applies to a narrow separate-household rule for some older adults with a permanent disability. Many states set higher gross cutoffs under Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE), which varies by state.
| Household size | Gross monthly (130% FPL) | Net monthly (100% FPL) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,696 | $1,305 |
| 2 | $2,292 | $1,763 |
| 3 | $2,888 | $2,221 |
| 4 | $3,483 | $2,680 |
| 5 | $4,079 | $3,138 |
| 6 | $4,675 | $3,596 |
| 7 | $5,271 | $4,055 |
| 8 | $5,867 | $4,513 |
| Each additional person | +$596 | +$459 |
Work rules that can affect your case at renewal
Under P.L. 119-21 (enacted July 4, 2025) and FNA’s official implementation memorandum of Oct. 3, 2025, the ABAWD time limit applies as current law to adults ages 18–64 (3 countable months in 36 unless working or in a qualifying program 80 hours per month). The dependent-child exception now covers only a child under 14, and the former exceptions for veterans, homeless individuals, and former foster youth up to 24 were removed; an exception for Indians, Urban Indians, and California Indians (IHCIA) was added. FNA’s public work-requirements page still showed the older ages 18–54 rules as of late July 2026, so double-check with your caseworker; both sources are linked below.
Avoiding a gap
Act as soon as the notice arrives. If benefits lapse, you can reapply, but a fresh application can take up to 30 days versus a timely renewal. Keep your address and phone current with your state agency so notices reach you.
Sources
- FNA (formerly FNS) — SNAP Eligibility and Recertification (.gov)
- eCFR — 7 CFR 273.10, Certification Periods (.gov)
- eCFR — 7 CFR 273.12, Reporting Requirements (.gov)
- FNA — SNAP FY2026 COLA Memo (.gov, PDF)
- FNA — ABAWD Exceptions Implementation Memo, Oct. 3, 2025 (.gov, PDF)
- FNA — SNAP Work Requirements page (.gov; not yet updated for P.L. 119-21)
Last fact-check: July 29, 2026
Editorial status: Independent subject-matter review has not been completed.