Fiscal Year 2026 D-SNAP Income Eligibility Standards

This memorandum provides the fiscal year (FY) 2026 income standards and maximum allotments for the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). State agencies may use these standards to determine eligibility for D-SNAP, as well as the maximum allotment for eligible households may receive based on their size.

D-SNAP is a similar, yet distinct, program from SNAP that provides temporary food assistance to households affected by a natural disaster. State agencies may request D-SNAP for areas that receive a Presidential disaster declaration of Individual Assistance. Households that are eligible for D-SNAP receive a temporary, one-month benefit equal to the maximum SNAP benefit allotment for their household size. Eligibility is based on household size and income. The D-SNAP benefit allotment is determined by household size. Please see the tables below for the income limits and allotments.

Early and ongoing communication is critical as FNS remains available to assist state agencies in their evaluation of whether and when D-SNAP is appropriate. For example, ensuring that local infrastructure and food retailers are up and running are important steps for determining D-SNAP readiness.

State agencies must find a balance between responding quickly, operating efficiently, and protecting program integrity. Effective D-SNAP fraud prevention strategies begin in the preplanning phase. FNS is available to provide technical assistance to support state agencies in developing their requests and establishing strong internal controls to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse of this important disaster assistance. State agencies with questions regarding D-SNAP should contact their respective regional office representatives.

Ronald Ward
Acting Associate Administrator
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Food and Nutrition Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture

Option 1: Disaster Gross Income Limit (DGIL)

The Disaster Gross Income Limit (DGIL) combines the SNAP maximum monthly net income limit, the maximum standard income deduction, and the maximum capped shelter expense deduction for the current fiscal year. In order to be eligible under DGIL, a household’s take-home income and accessible liquid resources during the disaster benefit period, minus disaster expenses as determined by the state agency, must not exceed the income limit for its size.

Option 2: Disaster Standard Expense Deduction Option (DSED)

State agencies may simplify calculating eligibility for D-SNAP by using the Disaster Standard Expense Deduction (DSED), which uses a standard amount for a household’s disaster expenses, which includes food loss.

Note: Only households with actual, unreimbursed disaster expenses equal to or greater than $100 may qualify using DSED. DSED cannot be used when food loss is the only qualifying disaster expense.