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Benefits in Missouri
2026 income limits and how to apply for SNAP, WIC, Medicaid and other help in Missouri. A family of four can earn up to $3,575 a month before taxes and still meet the SNAP gross income test.
- People below poverty
- 757,180
- 12.6% of residents (ACS 2020-2024)
- Median household income
- $70,702
- ACS 2020-2024
- Medicaid expansion
- Yes
- Adults up to 138% qualify
- Poverty guideline, 4 people
- $33,000
- 2026, 48 states and D.C.
Food assistance income limits in Missouri
SNAP limits apply 10/01/2026 to 09/30/2027. WIC limits apply 07/01/2026 to 06/30/2027.
| Household size | Poverty guideline (2026, yearly) | SNAP gross (monthly) | SNAP net (monthly) | WIC (yearly) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $15,960 | $1,729 | $1,330 | $29,526 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $2,345 | $1,804 | $40,034 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $2,960 | $2,277 | $50,542 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $3,575 | $2,750 | $61,050 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $4,191 | $3,224 | $71,558 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $4,806 | $3,697 | $82,066 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $5,421 | $4,170 | $92,574 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $6,037 | $4,644 | $103,082 |
For each additional person, add $5,680 to the yearly poverty guideline. Figures are rounded up to the next dollar, as agencies do. Source: HHS 2026 poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and D.C.
Health, energy and phone income limits in Missouri
Medicaid adult limit is 138%. LIHEAP shows the federal maximum; Missouri may use a different limit.
| Household size | Medicaid adults (yearly) | Lifeline (yearly) | LIHEAP max (yearly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $22,025 | $21,546 | $23,940 |
| 2 people | $29,864 | $29,214 | $32,460 |
| 3 people | $37,702 | $36,882 | $40,980 |
| 4 people | $45,540 | $44,550 | $49,500 |
| 5 people | $53,379 | $52,218 | $58,020 |
| 6 people | $61,217 | $59,886 | $66,540 |
| 7 people | $69,056 | $67,554 | $75,060 |
| 8 people | $76,894 | $75,222 | $83,580 |
For each additional person, add $5,680 to the yearly poverty guideline. Figures are rounded up to the next dollar, as agencies do. Source: HHS 2026 poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and D.C.
Where to apply in Missouri
Official finders that list the agency for your state
- State agencies
- Missouri on USA.gov
- Medicaid
- Apply through HealthCare.gov
- SSDI
- Apply at SSA.gov
- LIHEAP
- Find your LIHEAP office
- Unemployment
- Find your state unemployment office
- Pell Grant
- Start the FAFSA
- Section 8
- Find your public housing agency
Food
- SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramSNAP, once called food stamps, gives monthly benefits on an EBT card to buy groceries at authorized stores.
- WIC: Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and ChildrenWIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals for pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children under 5.
Health care
- MedicaidMedicaid provides free or low-cost health coverage to people with low incomes, including children, pregnant women, parents, seniors and people with disabilities.
- CHIP: Children's Health Insurance ProgramCHIP gives low-cost health coverage to children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. Some states also cover pregnant women.
Income
- SSI: Supplemental Security IncomeSSI pays monthly benefits to people with limited income and resources who are 65 or older, blind or disabled, including children with disabilities.
- SSDI: Social Security Disability InsuranceSSDI pays monthly benefits to people who cannot work because of a disability expected to last at least a year or result in death, and who have worked long enough in jobs covered by Social Security.
Utilities and phone
Housing
School and work
- Unemployment: Unemployment InsuranceUnemployment insurance replaces part of your wages for a limited time if you lose your job through no fault of your own.
- Pell Grant: Federal Pell GrantsPell Grants help undergraduate students with financial need pay for college. Unlike loans, they usually do not need to be repaid.
Households getting benefits by county in Missouri
Share of households that received each benefit in the last 12 months (ACS 2020-2024). Select a county for details.
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| County | Households getting SNAP | SSI | Social Security | Cash assistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adair County | 9.0% | 5.5% | 29.9% | 2.0% |
| Andrew County | 4.9% | 4.5% | 36.6% | 2.0% |
| Atchison County | 5.8% | 5.6% | 36.6% | 2.6% |
| Audrain County | 12.3% | 6.5% | 39.5% | 2.6% |
| Barry County | 11.0% | 5.6% | 43.8% | 1.6% |
| Barton County | 18.5% | 12.2% | 44.5% | 1.3% |
| Bates County | 11.2% | 5.2% | 41.6% | 1.9% |
| Benton County | 12.5% | 10.0% | 57.2% | 1.4% |
| Bollinger County | 9.2% | 5.3% | 36.6% | 2.4% |
| Boone County | 6.6% | 4.1% | 25.2% | 1.0% |
| Buchanan County | 14.5% | 6.2% | 33.4% | 4.5% |
| Butler County | 20.3% | 11.5% | 41.9% | 1.9% |
| Caldwell County | 8.4% | 3.7% | 36.1% | 3.3% |
| Callaway County | 8.7% | 3.7% | 39.4% | 2.7% |
| Camden County | 8.2% | 6.0% | 48.1% | 2.2% |
| Cape Girardeau County | 9.8% | 4.5% | 32.9% | 1.2% |
| Carroll County | 9.0% | 5.8% | 40.3% | 1.7% |
| Carter County | 19.8% | 9.4% | 43.9% | 0.5% |
| Cass County | 5.3% | 3.6% | 32.6% | 1.3% |
| Cedar County | 12.2% | 7.4% | 43.4% | 2.9% |
| Chariton County | 7.0% | 5.1% | 40.6% | 1.0% |
| Christian County | 6.4% | 5.0% | 32.5% | 1.2% |
| Clark County | 7.8% | 3.9% | 47.3% | 0.5% |
| Clay County | 6.0% | 3.5% | 28.4% | 1.7% |
| Clinton County | 7.8% | 7.6% | 33.3% | 2.5% |
| Cole County | 5.9% | 4.0% | 33.8% | 1.0% |
| Cooper County | 6.7% | 5.7% | 37.4% | 2.8% |
| Crawford County | 12.1% | 10.6% | 40.7% | 1.9% |
| Dade County | 14.8% | 6.2% | 45.9% | 1.4% |
| Dallas County | 16.8% | 10.8% | 45.3% | 2.9% |
| Daviess County | 8.2% | 6.5% | 40.5% | 2.1% |
| DeKalb County | 7.8% | 7.7% | 40.9% | 2.3% |
| Dent County | 17.0% | 6.7% | 46.8% | 1.7% |
| Douglas County | 14.4% | 7.1% | 50.7% | 3.5% |
| Dunklin County | 24.6% | 10.4% | 40.0% | 1.8% |
| Franklin County | 7.1% | 5.1% | 36.9% | 1.5% |
| Gasconade County | 10.3% | 5.9% | 41.0% | 1.3% |
| Gentry County | 8.8% | 5.2% | 33.2% | 4.2% |
| Greene County | 10.0% | 4.9% | 29.3% | 1.6% |
| Grundy County | 11.7% | 7.6% | 41.3% | 3.1% |
| Harrison County | 13.7% | 6.1% | 42.3% | 3.8% |
| Henry County | 10.8% | 4.6% | 44.3% | 1.9% |
| Hickory County | 11.9% | 8.4% | 56.6% | 3.1% |
| Holt County | 6.8% | 4.2% | 42.9% | 3.2% |
| Howard County | 7.8% | 4.4% | 37.5% | 1.8% |
| Howell County | 14.0% | 7.6% | 40.8% | 2.6% |
| Iron County | 18.3% | 9.9% | 41.5% | 2.1% |
| Jackson County | 10.3% | 4.6% | 28.2% | 2.8% |
| Jasper County | 14.8% | 6.1% | 33.2% | 1.7% |
| Jefferson County | 7.1% | 4.3% | 32.5% | 1.3% |
| Johnson County | 6.4% | 4.1% | 26.5% | 1.0% |
| Knox County | 8.2% | 4.4% | 39.1% | 1.1% |
| Laclede County | 15.3% | 7.7% | 35.1% | 2.1% |
| Lafayette County | 9.4% | 5.7% | 36.5% | 0.7% |
| Lawrence County | 12.2% | 5.5% | 37.9% | 2.8% |
| Lewis County | 6.0% | 4.3% | 38.8% | 0.8% |
| Lincoln County | 7.0% | 4.3% | 31.7% | 0.7% |
| Linn County | 8.8% | 6.2% | 38.5% | 0.7% |
| Livingston County | 9.9% | 8.9% | 38.0% | 1.4% |
| Macon County | 8.6% | 6.6% | 40.6% | 1.8% |
| Madison County | 13.4% | 6.3% | 44.7% | 3.7% |
| Maries County | 11.2% | 6.8% | 44.1% | 4.6% |
| Marion County | 12.1% | 6.4% | 36.6% | 2.0% |
| McDonald County | 13.6% | 6.6% | 36.4% | 1.1% |
| Mercer County | 10.7% | 9.1% | 39.2% | 0.5% |
| Miller County | 8.9% | 4.9% | 39.4% | 2.3% |
| Mississippi County | 27.3% | 10.3% | 42.1% | 2.6% |
| Moniteau County | 7.6% | 4.6% | 34.6% | 1.4% |
| Monroe County | 7.6% | 6.5% | 46.4% | 1.9% |
| Montgomery County | 11.1% | 5.5% | 39.2% | 2.3% |
| Morgan County | 12.2% | 10.0% | 44.7% | 2.2% |
| New Madrid County | 23.5% | 9.8% | 41.4% | 2.7% |
| Newton County | 12.3% | 5.7% | 37.9% | 1.8% |
| Nodaway County | 8.3% | 3.2% | 32.2% | 2.6% |
| Oregon County | 19.9% | 6.6% | 47.8% | 2.5% |
| Osage County | 4.2% | 3.4% | 35.2% | 1.4% |
| Ozark County | 14.7% | 7.3% | 51.7% | 1.5% |
| Pemiscot County | 30.7% | 12.5% | 41.8% | 1.7% |
| Perry County | 10.2% | 6.6% | 37.4% | 1.4% |
| Pettis County | 11.4% | 6.0% | 33.8% | 1.9% |
| Phelps County | 13.1% | 6.9% | 34.6% | 1.9% |
| Pike County | 10.4% | 7.7% | 40.9% | 0.8% |
| Platte County | 4.2% | 3.0% | 26.4% | 1.3% |
| Polk County | 10.8% | 6.5% | 36.1% | 2.1% |
| Pulaski County | 8.4% | 4.4% | 26.1% | 2.9% |
| Putnam County | 7.5% | 7.6% | 46.1% | 1.6% |
| Ralls County | 4.8% | 4.2% | 46.2% | 1.4% |
| Randolph County | 15.0% | 6.6% | 36.0% | 1.8% |
| Ray County | 10.5% | 6.2% | 38.2% | 1.6% |
| Reynolds County | 16.2% | 7.9% | 53.3% | 1.5% |
| Ripley County | 17.3% | 9.7% | 45.5% | 0.8% |
| Saline County | 13.2% | 7.5% | 39.2% | 3.3% |
| Schuyler County | 7.7% | 9.2% | 39.9% | 1.1% |
| Scotland County | 4.2% | 2.1% | 33.4% | 1.2% |
| Scott County | 14.9% | 5.0% | 36.7% | 2.0% |
| Shannon County | 13.5% | 6.9% | 50.1% | 0.7% |
| Shelby County | 8.4% | 4.4% | 37.0% | 0.3% |
| St. Charles County | 3.6% | 3.1% | 29.9% | 1.3% |
| St. Clair County | 13.5% | 6.4% | 46.6% | 0.8% |
| St. Francois County | 15.6% | 6.8% | 38.1% | 2.4% |
| St. Louis city | 18.6% | 7.0% | 25.8% | 2.4% |
| St. Louis County | 8.0% | 4.0% | 31.5% | 1.5% |
| Ste. Genevieve County | 6.5% | 6.2% | 40.4% | 0.7% |
| Stoddard County | 15.2% | 7.6% | 39.6% | 1.1% |
| Stone County | 6.6% | 5.2% | 53.2% | 1.9% |
| Sullivan County | 10.0% | 10.4% | 37.7% | 1.7% |
| Taney County | 11.4% | 5.1% | 40.2% | 2.2% |
| Texas County | 13.5% | 7.8% | 47.9% | 2.5% |
| Vernon County | 14.9% | 7.2% | 41.3% | 1.6% |
| Warren County | 6.9% | 5.2% | 35.5% | 1.1% |
| Washington County | 20.1% | 9.5% | 38.4% | 3.3% |
| Wayne County | 18.3% | 10.2% | 51.4% | 1.6% |
| Webster County | 9.8% | 6.5% | 33.6% | 1.7% |
| Worth County | 11.0% | 6.1% | 40.6% | 4.5% |
| Wright County | 13.6% | 7.2% | 44.9% | 2.4% |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the SNAP income limit in Missouri?
- For 10/01/2026 to 09/30/2027, a household of one in Missouri can have gross monthly income up to $1,729, and a household of four up to $3,575. Net income after deductions must be at or below $1,330 and $2,750. Households with an elderly or disabled member only need to meet the net limit.
- Did Missouri expand Medicaid?
- Yes. Missouri covers adults ages 19 to 64 with incomes up to 138% of the poverty guidelines, or $22,025 a year for one person in 2026.
- What is the WIC income limit in Missouri?
- A household of four in Missouri can earn up to $61,050 a year (185% of the 2026 poverty guidelines) to qualify for WIC. A pregnant woman counts as two or more people.
- How many people in Missouri live below the poverty line?
- About 757,180 people in Missouri, or 12.6% of residents, had incomes below the poverty level in the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates.