The income limit is the most important food stamps (SNAP) eligibility requirement in New Jersey. In this post, In this post, we are going to walk you through the 2023 income limit for New Jersey 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 New Jersey.
Lastly, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about SNAP benefits in New Jersey.
Table of Contents:
- Food Stamps in New Jersey
- Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in New Jersey
- 2023 Income Limit for New Jersey Food Stamps
- How to Apply for Food Stamps in New Jersey
- Food Stamps in New Jersey FAQs
Food Stamps in New Jersey
SNAP (also known as food stamps) offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families in New Jersey.
In New Jersey, the SNAP program is run by the New Jersey 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 New Jersey?
To be eligible for SNAP in New Jersey, a household must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be a citizen or legal immigrant
- Must be a New Jersey 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 New Jersey Food Stamps
To qualify for SNAP in New Jersey, your household income must not exceed 185 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.
| New Jersey SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2024 | ||
| Effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 | ||
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income (185% of FPL) |
Monthly Net Income (100% of FPL) |
| 1 | $2,248 | $1,215 |
| 2 | $3,041 | $1,644 |
| 3 | $3,833 | $2,072 |
| 4 | $4,625 | $2,500 |
| 5 | $5,419 | $2,929 |
| 6 | $6,210 | $3,357 |
| 7 | $7,002 | $3,785 |
| 8 | $7,796 | $4,214 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $794 | $429 |
How to Apply for Food Stamps in New Jersey
There are multiple ways you can apply for food stamps in New Jersey.
Option 1 – Apply Online
The easiest way to apply for SNAP benefits is online through the NJHelps portal.
Visit https://www.njhelps.org/ and select “Get Started.”
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.
Also, you can request an application to be mailed to you by calling 1-800-687-9512.
Option 3 – Apply in Person
If you are unable to apply online or by mail, the County Boards of Social Services has offices statewide to assist you with the application process.
Click here to find your local office.
Food Stamps in New Jersey FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about New Jersey Food Stamps:
What is the Phone Number for New Jersey Food Stamps?
If you need help applying for food stamps in New Jersey or have further questions about how the SNAP program works, call Customer Call Center at 1-800-687-9512.
How Much Will I Receive in New Jersey Food Stamps?
If you are approved for food stamps in New Jersey, 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 New Jersey, the average monthly SNAP amount per person is approximately $224.
To find out how much you are likely to get in New Jersey SNAP if approved, use the calculator below.
| 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 |
In the example provided below, we are using a family of 6 to demonstrate how to calculate your food stamps amount.
New Jersey 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: Louise and her family of six (6) have $2,360 in net income after allowable deductions.
To determine the family’s SNAP benefits, take 30% of the “net income” (30% of $2,360) and subtract it from the maximum benefit, as follows:
$2,360 Net Income for Louise’s family
x .30 (Multiply by 30%)
$708 Countable Income
$1,386 Maximum SNAP for 6 persons
-$708 Countable income (round up)
$678 Monthly SNAP benefits for Louise’s family
When are New Jersey EBT benefits deposited?
New Jersey food stamps benefits are deposited on your NJ EBT Card on your scheduled deposit day. New Jersey EBT Deposit Dates are sent out during the first 5 days of each month.
The day your New Jersey food stamp benefits are deposited depends on the 7th digit in your Case Number.
With the exception of Warren County – all NJ SNAP residents in Warren County will receive their benefits on the first day of the month.
Food Stamp benefits will be made available in your New Jersey EBT Card account by 5am on your scheduled deposit day.
Here is the New Jersey SNAP EBT Deposit Schedule for 2023:
|
If the 7th digit in your Case Number is:
|
SNAP Benefits are available on the:
|
| 1 or 2 |
1st day of the month
|
| 3 or 4 |
2nd day of the month
|
| 5 or 6 |
3rd day of the month
|
| 7 or 8 |
4th day of the month
|
| 9 or 0 |
5th day of the month
|
How Many People are on Food Stamps in New Jersey?
| Number of People on Food Stamps in New Jersey | |||
| As of September 2022 | |||
| September 2021 | September 2022 | Change | |
| Number of People | 881,905 | 771,705 | -12.5% |
| Number of Households | 456,526 | 399,585 | -12.5% |
| Total Benefits ($) | $205,174,856.00 | $196,318,704.00 | -4.3% |
United States Food Stamps Statistics for January 2023:
| Number of People on Food Stamps in The United States | |||
| As of September 2022 | |||
| September 2021 | September 2022 | Change | |
| Number of People | 40,846,833 | 41,665,296 | 2.0% |
| Number of Households | 21,402,558 | 21,907,553 | 2.4% |
| Total Benefits ($) | $9,117,810,630.00 | $9,338,989,005.00 | 2.4% |
How do I use my NJ EBT Card at a grocery store?
To use your New Jersey EBT Card, also known as the Families First EBT Card at your local store is easy.
Before you shop, it’s important that you check the balance on your NJ EBT Card or P-EBT Card and confirm that your local store accepts EBT Cards as payment. To do so, look for the Quest logo in the store’s window or doors.
Once you are ready to shop, follow the instructions below:
- Shop for eligible SNAP items at your local store.
- At checkout, slide your NJ EBT Card through the POS machine.
- Enter your 4-digit PIN on the keypad.
- Confirm your purchase.
- Take your receipt – your new EBT balance will be displayed at the bottom.
What stores accept New Jersey EBT online for delivery?
Currently, there are 18 stores that accept New Jersey EBT Cards online as payment.
You can use your NJ EBT Card and food stamp benefits to purchase approved grocery items and have it delivered directly to your door.
However, your New Jersey SNAP benefits cannot be use to pay for delivery fees.
Currently, the following stores accept New Jersey food stamps and EBT Cards online:
- Acme
- ALDI
- Amazon
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Food Bazaar
- Food Circus Super Markets, Inc. DBA Super Foodtown
- Kings Super Markets
- Price Rite
- Sam’s Club Scan & Go
- ShopRite
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Stop & Shop
- Target
- TheFreshGrocer
- Walmart
- Wegmans
- Weis Markets
- Whole Foods
Income Limit for New Jersey Food Stamps Summary
We hope this article on Income Limit for New Jersey Food Stamps was helpful.
If so, we encourage you to share this article with anyone who may also find it helpful by using the “Share this” button below.
If you have additional questions about the New Jersey 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 New Jersey Food Stamps and EBT, including:
- How to Check New Jersey EBT Card Balance
- New Jersey EBT Card Discounts & Free Admissions
- Can you Buy Groceries Online with New Jersey EBT Card?
- Grocery Stores that Accept EBT online
- How to Get 50% off Amazon Prime with EBT
- Eligible Food Stamps Items