SNAP for People 60 and Older — The Special Rules in Plain Words

SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

SNAP gives monthly food benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer card. It is called an EBT card.

The EBT card works like a debit card at authorized food stores.

In SNAP, “elderly” means a person who is 60 years old or older.

Most SNAP rules apply to everyone.

But households with an elderly or disabled member get some special rules.

Those special rules are what this page explains.

You apply in the state where you live, through your state agency.

In Oklahoma, the agency is Oklahoma Human Services. It is called OKDHS.

• Applying online at OKDHSLive.org is the fastest way.
• You can also mail a printed Request for Benefits form.
• Or you can drop off the form at a local Oklahoma Human Services Center.
• You can check your application status at OKDHSLive.org.

What happens next

• You complete an eligibility interview. It is typically by telephone or in person.
• You give proof of the information you provided.
• The agency processes the application.
• The agency sends a notice within 30 days. The notice says whether you are eligible.
• If you are found eligible, benefits are based on the date you submitted your application.

Dollar figures in this section are for October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Some households with very little money can receive benefits within 7 days.

For example: a household with less than $100 in liquid resources and less than $150 in monthly gross income.

If you cannot go to an office or get online

You may name another person in writing as your authorized representative.

That person can apply and be interviewed for you.

OKDHS notes that eligibility cannot be determined until an interview is complete and all verification has been received.

A household is everyone who lives together and purchases and prepares meals together.

Spouses are in the same household.

Most children under age 22 are in the same household.

That is true even if they buy and prepare food separately.

Most households must meet two tests.

They must meet a gross income test. They must also meet a net income test.

A household with an elderly or disabled member only has to meet the NET income test.

Net income means income after the allowed deductions are subtracted.

Resources are things you own. Examples are cash, or money in a bank account.

Dollar figures in this section are for October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

A household may have up to $4,750 in countable resources if at least one member is age 60 or older or is disabled.

The limit is $3,000 for households without an elderly or disabled member.

These do NOT count:

• A home and lot.
• The resources of people who receive SSI.
• The resources of people who receive TANF.
• Most retirement and pension plans.

Many states use broad-based categorical eligibility.

That can allow higher income and resource limits.

So a state may let a household have more than these amounts.

Deductions are amounts subtracted from income before the net income test.

Dollar figures in this section are for October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

• A 20% deduction from earned income.
• A standard deduction of $217 for households of 1 to 3 people. It is higher for some larger households.
• A dependent care deduction, when the care is needed for work, training, or education.
• In some states, legally owed child support payments.
• Medical expenses. See section 7.
• Excess shelter costs. See section 8.

This is a special rule only for elderly or disabled members.

Dollar figures in this section are for October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Medical costs for the elderly or disabled member that are more than $35 in a month may be deducted.

Only the amount over $35 each month is deducted.

This applies if insurance does not pay for them.

It also applies if someone who is not a household member does not pay for them.

Allowable costs include:

• Most medical and dental expenses. For example, doctor bills, prescription drugs, and other over-the-counter medication when approved by a doctor.
• Dentures.
• Inpatient and outpatient hospital expenses.
• Nursing care.
• Other medically related expenses. For example, certain transportation costs, attendant care, and health insurance premiums.

The costs of special diets are NOT allowable.

Proof of medical expenses and insurance payments is required.

The excess shelter deduction covers shelter costs that are more than half of the household's income after the other deductions.

Dollar figures in this section are for October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

For a household with an elderly or disabled member, ALL of those excess shelter costs may be deducted. There is no cap.

For other households, the deduction is capped at $769.

Shelter costs include:

• Rent, or mortgage payments and interest.
• Taxes on the home.
• Fuel to heat and cook with.
• Electricity.
• Water.
• The basic fee for one telephone.

Some states allow a set amount for utility costs instead of actual costs.

The table below shows the most any household can get. It is called the maximum monthly allotment.

Most households receive less than the maximum.

That is because SNAP expects households to spend about 30% of their own resources on food.

The actual benefit is the maximum allotment minus 30% of the household's net monthly income.

A household that consists entirely of elderly or disabled members is not subject to SNAP work requirements.

If you are found eligible, a notice tells you how long you will receive benefits.

That time is called your certification period.

Before it ends, you will get another notice.

That notice says you must recertify to continue receiving benefits.

If you disagree with a decision on your case, you may request a fair hearing.

You must request it within 90 days of the decision.

You can request it over the phone, in writing, or in person at your local SNAP office.

A fair hearing cannot change the laws or regulations.

But it can make sure the decisions on your case were made correctly.

The USDA says it is in the process of updating its SNAP pages.

The updates are for changes made by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025.

So your state agency has the newest word.