The income limit is the most important food stamps (SNAP) eligibility requirement in Kentucky. In this post, In this post, we are going to walk you through the 2023 income limit for Virginia 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 Kentucky.
Lastly, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about SNAP benefits in Kentucky.
Table of Contents:
- Food Stamps in Kentucky
- Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in Kentucky
- 2023 Income Limit for Kentucky Food Stamps
- How to Apply for Food Stamps in Kentucky
- Food Stamps in Kentucky FAQs
Food Stamps in Kentucky
SNAP (also known as food stamps) offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families in Kentucky.
In Kentucky, the SNAP program is run by the Kentucky Department for Community-Based Services (DCBS).
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 usable at most grocery stores, certain farmers’ markets, convenience stores, big box stores, and a selection of online stores, such as Walmart and Amazon.
Nevertheless, SNAP benefits generally do not cover the purchase of prepared foods, vitamins, alcohol, tobacco, and non-food items like soap or toothpaste.
Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in Kentucky?
To be eligible for SNAP in Kentucky, a household must meet the following eligibility requirements:
-
Kentucky SNAP Requirements
- Any household meeting basic income and other requirements may be able to receive SNAP benefits.
- Below are the most common guidelines for qualification; exceptions may apply based on age or special circumstances.
-
Citizenship
- Only U.S. citizens and immigrants who meet requirements may receive food benefits.
-
Work Registration
- Household members aged 18 to 59 must participate in work registration.
- In some circumstances, even 16 or 17-year-olds need to register for work.
- Some exceptions may apply.
-
Resources
- A household may have no more than $2,250 in cash and assets.
- If a household member is 60 or older, the household may have no more than $3,500 in cash and assets.
-
Income
- Household size determines the amount of income eligible for SNAP benefits.
- Money from wages or other payments to household members counts as income.
- Deductions from the household’s income may include rent, utilities, child support, and child care costs.
- Households with senior citizens (age 60 or older) or people with disabilities may be able to deduct medical costs.
-
Can I get SNAP benefits right away?
- You may qualify for SNAP benefits soon after applying under certain circumstances, if:
- Your household’s monthly rent/mortgage and utilities costs are more than its gross monthly income.
- Your household’s gross monthly income is less than $150 and resources, such as cash or bank accounts, total $100 or less.
- Your household includes members who are destitute migrant or seasonal farm workers.
- You may qualify for SNAP benefits soon after applying under certain circumstances, if:
2023 Income Limit for Kentucky Food Stamps
To qualify for SNAP in Kentucky, your household income must not exceed 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
You can find out if you may qualify by using the 2022/2023 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.
| Kentucky SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2024 | ||
| Effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 | ||
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income (200% of FPL) |
Monthly Net Income |
| 1 | $2,430 | $1,215 |
| 2 | $3,288 | $1,644 |
| 3 | $4,144 | $2,072 |
| 4 | $5,000 | $2,500 |
| 5 | $5,858 | $2,929 |
| 6 | $6,714 | $3,357 |
| 7 | $7,570 | $3,785 |
| 8 | $8,428 | $4,214 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $858 | $429 |
How to Apply for Food Stamps in Kentucky
There are multiple ways you can apply for food stamps in Kentucky.
Option 1 – Apply online
You can apply online through the Benefind.ky.gov Portal – as shown in the image below.
If you have an account, you can log in or create your Benefind.ky.gov Portal Account. Click here to be taken to the website.
Option 2 – Apply at the DCBS Office Near You
You can apply in person at the Kentucky Department for Community-Based Services (DCBS) office near you. Click here to locate a DCBS office.
Option 3 – Download Kentucky Food Stamps Application
You can download an application, complete it, and mail it to your county DCBS office or submit it in person.
Food Stamps in Kentucky FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Kentucky Food Stamps:
How Much Will I Receive in Kentucky Food Stamps?
If you are approved for food stamps in Kentucky, 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 Kentucky, the average monthly SNAP amount per person is approximately $177.
| Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for Fiscal Year 2023 | |
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment |
| 1 | $281 |
| 2 | $516 |
| 3 | $740 |
| 4 | $939 |
| 5 | $1,116 |
| 6 | $1,339 |
| 7 | $1,480 |
| 8 | $1,691 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $211 |
To find out how much you are likely to get in Kentucky 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.
When are Kentucky EBT benefits deposited?
In Kentucky, Food Stamp Benefits are deposited into EBT Card accounts from the 1st to the 19th of every month.
When your payment is deposited depends on the last digit of your case number. Here is the schedule:
| If your Case Number ends in: | Benefits are deposited on the: |
| 0 | 1st of the month |
| 1 | 3rd of the month |
| 2 | 5th of the month |
| 3 | 7th of the month |
| 4 | 9th of the month |
| 5 | 11th of the month |
| 6 | 13th of the month |
| 7 | 15th of the month |
| 8 | 17th of the month |
| 9 | 19th of the month |
How Kentucky 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 $1,386
The result is the monthly food stamps benefits for a family of 6.
Here’s an example:
Example: Paige and her family of six (6) have $2,500 in net income after allowable deductions.
To determine the family’s SNAP benefits, take 30% of the “net income” (30% of $2,500) and subtract it from the maximum benefit, as follows:
$ 2,500 Net Income for Paige’s family
x .30 (Multiply by 30%)
$ 750 Countable Income
$ 1,386 Maximum SNAP for 6 persons
-$750 Countable income (round up)
$ 636 Monthly SNAP benefits for Paige’s family
What stores accept Kentucky EBT online for delivery?
Currently, there are 10 stores that accept Kentucky EBT Cards online as payment.
You can use your Kentucky EBT Card and food stamp benefits to purchase approved grocery items and have them delivered directly to your door.
However, you cannot use your Kentucky SNAP benefits to cover delivery fees.
Currently, the following stores accept Kentucky food stamps and EBT Cards online:
-
Food City
-
Kroger
-
Meijer
What does Kentucky EBT not cover?
Your Kentucky EBT Card can not be used to purchase any hot or prepared food item, as well as any non-food items.
Here is a list of items that your VA EBT does not cover:
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
- Soaps, paper products, cosmetics, grooming items
- Pet food (for example, dog food, cat food, etc.)
- Vitamins or medicines
- Food that will be eaten in the store
- Hot foods
Other Items you cannot buy with your VA EBT Card include:
- Charcoal
- Cod liver oil
- Cough drops
- Crabs (cooked and hot)
- Diapers
- Dietary Supplements (for example, GNC, and most protein powders)
- Dry ice
- Energy drinks with Supplement Information labels (for example, 5-Hour Energy)
- Fertilizer and insecticides
- Flax oil
- Fountain Drinks
- Gift baskets (if the food part of the gift basket is less than 50% of the total price)
- Ice cream cone/sundae
- Livestock (for example, live animals or birds)
- Cakes (that are more than 50% non-edible)
- Toilet paper
Income Limit for Kentucky Food Stamps Summary
We hope this article on Income Limit for Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky Food Stamps and EBT, including:
- Kentucky EBT Card Balance – Phone Number and Login
- How to Buy Groceries Online with Kentucky EBT
- Kentucky P-EBT Benefits Guide
- Summer 2023 P-EBT for Kentucky
- Grocery Stores that Accept EBT Online
- How to Get 50% off Amazon Prime with EBT
- Eligible Food Stamps Items