SNAP in DC: Income Limits, EBT Payment Dates and How to Apply
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SNAP in the District of Columbia pays for groceries through the District of Columbia EBT Card. From October 1, 2026 the gross income limit is $2,660 a month for one person and $5,500 for four, the maximum benefit for a family of four is $1,023, and benefits land on the 1st through the 10th. Every figure on this page is from USDA's FY2027 cost-of-living memo or DC's own SNAP pages, dated 2026-09-23.
| Program name | SNAP |
|---|---|
| EBT card | District of Columbia EBT Card |
| Apply | districtdirect.dc.gov/ua · 202-727-5355 |
| EBT card line | 888-304-9167 |
| Gross income test | 200% of poverty (broad-based categorical eligibility) |
| Asset test | none for most households |
| Payment dates | 1st to 10th, by the first letter of your last name |
Income limits in DC from October 1, 2026
DC uses broad-based categorical eligibility, which raises the gross income test from the federal 130% of poverty to 200%, and has no asset test for most households. The net income test, 100% of poverty after deductions, still decides whether you get anything and how much. In practice a household over 130% but under 200% usually qualifies only if rent, child care or medical costs bring net income down.
| Household size | Gross monthly limit (200%) | Net monthly limit (100%) | Maximum benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,660 | $1,330 | $306 |
| 2 | $3,607 | $1,804 | $562 |
| 3 | $4,554 | $2,277 | $808 |
| 4 | $5,500 | $2,750 | $1,023 |
| 5 | $6,447 | $3,224 | $1,217 |
| 6 | $7,394 | $3,697 | $1,463 |
| 7 | $8,340 | $4,170 | $1,616 |
| 8 | $9,287 | $4,644 | $1,841 |
| Each additional | +$947 | +$474 | +$225 |
FY2027, October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Income limits computed from the 2026 HHS poverty guideline the way USDA computes them. Households with a member who is 60 or older or disabled skip the gross test and face only the net test.
Net income in DC is figured after the $217 standard deduction for households of one to three, 20% of earnings, dependent care, and shelter costs capped at $769; the SNAP benefits guide walks through the arithmetic.
How DC compares
DC is one of 28 states and DC that set the gross test at 200% of poverty, the most generous band in the country, and one of 38 states and DC with no asset test. Payments are spread over 10 days early in the month. On accuracy, DC ranked 50 of 51 in FY2025 (1 is the lowest error rate).
When DC loads benefits
Per USDA's issuance schedule, DC pays on the 1st to 10th, by the first letter of your last name. Benefits post overnight and are spendable the next morning; unused benefits roll over month to month but are removed after nine months without use. USDA's published schedule has not been refreshed since 2021, so if a date matters, confirm it at dhs.dc.gov.
How to apply in DC
- Apply online at districtdirect.dc.gov/ua, or call 202-727-5355. Paper and in-person applications also work; the date the office receives any signed application with your name and address is the date your benefits start from.
- Under $150 in monthly income and $100 or less in the bank, or income plus cash below rent and utilities? Say expedited; 7 CFR 273.2(i) requires benefits within seven days.
- Do the phone interview, send proof, and set a PIN on the District of Columbia EBT Card when it arrives.
Card problems, balances and PIN changes: 888-304-9167. A SNAP case also qualifies you for a free Lifeline phone; the carriers serving DC are ranked on our DC phone guide, and the paperwork is on free phone with food stamps.
DC specifics
- The District began applying the new work-requirement time limit on June 1, 2026.
- DC's SNAP payment error rate for FY2025 was 18.66% against a national 10.62%. Under the 2025 law, a rate in that band would put DC in the 15% cost-share tier when states start paying a share of benefits from October 2027, though a rate this high delays the start to FY2029. That is a budget question for the state, not a change to your eligibility, but it is why several states are tightening verification now.
- Local offices serve Washington and every county; the state phone line above routes you to yours.
The 2025 federal law's changes, from the age-64 time limit to the end of the internet deduction, apply in DC as everywhere and are listed on the SNAP benefits guide. Health coverage for the same household is on the DC Medicaid page.
Common questions
What is the SNAP income limit in DC in 2026-27?
From October 1, 2026, $2,660 a month gross for one person and $5,500 for a household of four, because DC uses broad-based categorical eligibility at 200% of the poverty guideline. Net income after deductions must also be at or below 100% of poverty: $1,330 for one person and $2,750 for four.
How much does SNAP pay in DC?
Up to $306 a month for one person and $1,023 for four in FY2027 (October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027); minimum $25 for one or two people.
When are SNAP benefits deposited in DC?
1st to 10th, by the first letter of your last name, per USDA's schedule, onto the District of Columbia EBT Card.
What is the DC EBT card called, and who do I call about it?
The District of Columbia EBT Card; card problems go to 888-304-9167 and case questions to 202-727-5355.
Sources
- USDA FNS: FY2027 SNAP cost-of-living adjustments
- DC SNAP program page
- USDA FNS: SNAP state directory
- USDA FNS: monthly issuance schedule
- USDA FNS: broad-based categorical eligibility chart (June 2026)
- USDA FNS: FY2025 payment error rates
Gov-Grants.org is an independent guide, not a carrier and not a government agency. We never charge fees, and every fact above links to its source with the date we checked it. Program details change; confirm on the official site before applying.