The income limit is the most important food stamps (SNAP) eligibility requirement in Maryland. In this post, In this post, we are going to walk you through the 2023 income limit for Maryland food stamps, including how to calculate how much you will receive in SNAP benefits if approved.
Additionally, we will provide information on how to apply for food stamps in Maryland.
Lastly, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about SNAP benefits in Maryland.
Table of Contents:
- Food Stamps in Maryland
- Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in Maryland
- 2023 Income Limit for Maryland Food Stamps
- How to Apply for Food Stamps in Maryland
- Food Stamps in Maryland FAQs
Food Stamps in Maryland
SNAP (also known as food stamps) offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families in Maryland.
In Maryland, the SNAP program is run by the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS).
Once you are approved, SNAP benefits are provided on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, that is used as a debit card.
EBT cards are accepted at most grocery stores, some farmers’ markets, convenience, big box stores, and some online stores, like Walmart and Amazon.
SNAP benefits generally cannot be used to buy prepared foods, vitamins, alcohol/tobacco, and non-food items (like soap or toothpaste).
Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in Maryland?
To be eligible for SNAP in Maryland, a household must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be a citizen or legal immigrant
- Must be a Maryland resident
- Your household income must be less than the food stamps income limits for your household size (see chart below)
- With some exceptions, you must work or participate in an employment and training program
- For most households, resources must be under $2,750 to qualify for SNAP or $4,250 in countable resources if at least one member of the household is age 60 or older, or is disabled
2023 Income Limit for Maryland Food Stamps
To qualify for SNAP in Maryland, your household income must not exceed 130 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
You can find out if you may qualify by using the 2023/2024 table below.
Income limits vary according to household size.
Households that contain no elderly or disabled individuals must meet both the gross (income before deduction) and the net income (income after allowable deductions) limits.
However, households that contain an elderly (age 60 or over) individual or a disabled individual must meet only the net income limits.
See the table below for both the net and gross income limits according to household size.
| Maryland SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2024 | |||
| Effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 | |||
| Household Size | Monthly Net Income (100% of FPL) | Monthly Gross Income (130% of FPL) | Monthly Gross Income for households with an Elderly/Disabled Member (165% of FPL) |
| 1 | $1,215 | $1,580 | $2,005 |
| 2 | $1,644 | $2,137 | $2,713 |
| 3 | $2,072 | $2,694 | $3,419 |
| 4 | $2,500 | $3,250 | $4,125 |
| 5 | $2,929 | $3,807 | $4,833 |
| 6 | $3,357 | $4,364 | $5,539 |
| 7 | $3,785 | $4,921 | $6,245 |
| 8 | $4,214 | $5,478 | $6,953 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $429 | $557 | $708 |
How to Apply for Food Stamps in Maryland
There are multiple ways you can apply for food stamps in Maryland.
Option 1 – Apply Online
The easiest way to apply for SNAP benefits is online through the myMDThink portal.
Sign in to https://mymdthink.maryland.gov/ and select the “Food and Cash Assistance” dropdown to locate the SNAP application.
If you do not have an account, click on the “Create Account” link for instructions on how to set up an account.
Option 2 – Apply by Mail or Fax an Application
To apply by mail or fax, download the SNAP application here.
Once you have completed the application, you can submit it by mail or fax.
Instructions on how to do so are included in the application.
Option 3 – Apply in Person
If you are unable to apply online or by mail, the Department of Social Services, which is a division of the DHS, has offices statewide to assist you with the application process.
Click here to find your local office.
Food Stamps in Maryland FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Maryland Food Stamps:
What is the Phone Number for Maryland Food Stamps?
If you need help applying for food stamps in Maryland or have further questions about how the SNAP program works, call Customer Call Center at 1-800-332-6347.
How Much Will I Receive in Maryland Food Stamps?
If you are approved for food stamps in Maryland, how much in benefits you get partly depends on the:
- Number of people in your household,
- The total amount of your household’s income, and
- U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Thrifty Food Plan.
The Thrifty Food Plan is a government estimate of how much it costs to provide a household with nutritious, low-cost meals.
In Maryland, the average monthly SNAP amount per person is approximately $210.
| Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for Fiscal Year 2024 | |
| Effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 | |
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment |
| 1 | $291 |
| 2 | $535 |
| 3 | $766 |
| 4 | $973 |
| 5 | $1,155 |
| 6 | $1,386 |
| 7 | $1,532 |
| 8 | $1,751 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $219 |
To find out how much you are likely to get in Maryland SNAP if approved, use the calculator below.
In the example provided below, we are using a family of 6 to demonstrate how to calculate your food stamps amount.
How Maryland Food Stamps Calculator
Here’s how to calculate how much a family of 6 will get in SNAP benefits.
First, we need to start with the household income.
If you have a countable net income, multiply your net monthly income by 0.3 (30 percent).
Round up this amount to the nearest dollar.
Next, take this amount and subtract it from the maximum benefit level for a household of your size.
From the table above, the maximum a household of 6 could receive in food stamps is $1,339
The result is the monthly food stamps benefits for a family of 6.
Here’s an example:
Example: Karen and his family of six (6) have $2,250 in net income after allowable deductions.
To determine the family’s SNAP benefits, take 30% of the “net income” (30% of $2,250) and subtract it from the maximum benefit, as follows:
$2,250 Net Income for Karen’s family
x .30 (Multiply by 30%)
$675 Countable Income
$1,386 Maximum SNAP for 6 persons
-$675 Countable income (round up)
$711 Monthly SNAP benefits for Karen’s family
When are Maryland food stamps EBT benefits deposited?
Maryland food stamps benefits are deposited on your MD EBT Card on your scheduled deposit day between the 3rd and the 21st of each month.
Your Maryland EBT Deposit Date varies based on the first 3 letters of your last name.
Food Stamp benefits are available in your Maryland Independence Card account at 6am EST on your scheduled deposit day.
Here is the Maryland SNAP EBT Deposit Schedule for 2023:
| First 3 Letters of Last Name are between: |
EBT Deposit Day is the:
|
| AAA – BAO |
4th of every Month
|
| BAP – BQZ |
5th of every Month
|
| BRA – CAQ |
6th of every Month
|
| CAR – COQ |
7th of every Month
|
| COR – DIZ |
8th of every Month
|
| DJA – FIS |
9th of every Month
|
| FIT – GON |
10th of every Month
|
| GOO – HAX |
11th of every Month
|
| HAY – JAB |
12th of every Month
|
| JAC – KIM |
13th of every Month
|
| KIN – LOX |
14th of every Month
|
| LOY – MCO |
15th of every Month
|
| MCP – NEF |
16th of every Month
|
| NEG – PGZ |
17th of every Month
|
| PHA – RIC |
18th of every Month
|
| RID – SDZ |
19th of every Month
|
| SEA – STC |
20th of every Month
|
| STD – TRA |
21st of every Month
|
| TRB – WES |
22nd of every Month
|
| WET – ZZZ |
23rd of every Month
|
How Many People are on Food Stamps in Maryland?
| Number of People on Food Stamps in Maryland | |||
| As of September 2022 | |||
| September 2021 | September 2022 | Change | |
| Number of People | 857,652 | 639,869 | -25.4% |
| Number of Households | 489,487 | 350,402 | -28.4% |
| Total Benefits ($) | $212,798,463.00 | $158,971,885.00 | -25.3% |
United States Food Stamps Statistics for January 2023:
| Number of People on Food Stamps in The United States | |||
| As of September 2022 | |||
| September 2021 | September 2022 | Change | |
| Number of People | 40,846,833 | 41,665,296 | 2.0% |
| Number of Households | 21,402,558 | 21,907,553 | 2.4% |
| Total Benefits ($) | $9,117,810,630.00 | $9,338,989,005.00 | 2.4% |
What stores accept Maryland EBT online for delivery?
Currently, there are 21 stores that accept Maryland EBT Cards online as payment.
You can use your MD EBT Card and food stamp benefits to purchase approved grocery items and have it delivered directly to your door.
However, your Maryland SNAP benefits cannot be use to pay for delivery fees.
Currently, the following stores accept Maryland SNAP EBT online:
- ACME
- ALDI
- Amazon
- Balducci’s
- BJs Wholesale Club
- Food Lion
- Geresbeck’s Food Market
- Giant Eagle
- Giant of Maryland
- Martin’s
- Price Rite
- Safeway
- Sam’s Club Scan and Go
- Seven Mile Market
- ShopRite
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Target
- Walmart
- Wegmans
- Weis Markets
- Whole Foods
Can I use my Food Stamps at Restaurants and Fast Food Places in Maryland?
Yes, eligible SNAP recipients can use their Maryland SNAP EBT Card benefits to purchase hot meals at eligible restaurants and fast food locations.
The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) allows elderly, homeless, and disabled SNAP recipients to use their Maryland EBT and P-EBT benefits to purchase prepared or hot food from participating restaurants and delis.
In addition, SNAP households experiencing homelessness can also use their EBT benefits to purchase meals at a discounted price from select restaurants.
To learn more about the Restaurant Meals Program in Maryland, click here.
Income Limit for Maryland Food Stamps Summary
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If you have additional questions about the Maryland SNAP or EBT, please leave those in the comments section below. We are here to help you!
Be sure to check out our other articles about Maryland Food Stamps and EBT, including:
- How to Check Maryland EBT Card Balance
- Maryland EBT Card Discounts & Free Admissions
- Farmers Markets In Maryland that Double Your EBT Money
- Can you buy groceries online with a Maryland EBT Card?
- Grocery Stores that Accept EBT online
- How to Get 50% off Amazon Prime with EBT
- Eligible Food Stamps Items