Confused about Colorado SNAP Gross vs Net Income Limits 2026? This beginner-friendly guide breaks down the updated 2026 limits, explains gross vs net differences, lists key deductions, and shows real examples so you can see if your family qualifies fast!
These numbers are for October 2025 – September 2026 (that’s what they call Fiscal Year 2026). Colorado is actually pretty chill compared to some states because they let you make more money and still qualify (they go up to 200% of the poverty line instead of the usual 130%).
Difference between Colorado SNAP Gross vs Net Income Limits 2026?
- Gross income = all the money your household gets every month before anything gets taken out. Like your paycheck, unemployment, child support, Social Security — everything added up.
- Net income = what’s left after they take away the stuff you’re allowed to subtract (deductions). SNAP mostly cares about your net income because that’s more like your “real” money after bills.
Does Colorado use gross or net?
Both!
Most families have to pass the gross income test (200% poverty level) AND the net income test (100% poverty level).
But if someone in your house is 60+ or disabled, they usually only care about the net income — the gross part gets way easier or sometimes doesn’t even count.
Colorado SNAP Gross Income Limits 2026 (most families can make up to 200%)
Here’s the rough monthly gross limits (these are the big numbers you can make and still maybe qualify):
- 1 person → about $3,392
- 2 people → about $4,582
- 3 people → about $5,772
- 4 people → about $6,966
- 5 people → about $8,156
- Add like $1,190 for each extra person
(Pro tip: Check the official Colorado PEAK website or our other article → [Colorado SNAP Income Limits 2026] for the exact numbers because they can tweak them a tiny bit.)
Colorado SNAP Net Income Limits 2026 (this is the really important one – 100%)
Your net income usually has to be at or below these:
- 1 person → ~$1,696/month
- 2 people → ~$2,290
- 3 people → ~$2,884
- 4 people → ~$3,480
- 5 people → ~$4,076
The lower your net income, the more food help you get!
How do they actually calculate SNAP income in Colorado? Super simple steps:
- Add up ALL your gross money for the month
- Take away the allowed deductions (this is the magic part)
- Whatever is left = your net income
- If your net is low enough → SNAP gives you money for food (they expect you to spend about 30% of your net on food, and they cover the rest)
All the deductions you can use (these lower your countable income A LOT)
- Standard deduction – automatic free money off: $209 for 1–3 people, $223 for 4, $261 for 5, etc.
- 20% earned income deduction – if you work, they take 20% off your job money (so $2,000 paycheck? They only count $1,600)
- Childcare / dependent care – money you pay for daycare or someone to watch kids/elderly so you can work or go to school
- Medical bills (only if someone is 60+ or disabled) – anything over $35/month (doctor, meds, glasses, even gas to get to appointments)
- Shelter costs – rent/mortgage + lights + heat + water. If it’s crazy expensive, they take a big chunk off. There’s a cap for most people ($744) but no cap if you’re elderly or disabled. Homeless people get a special one too!
- Child support – if you have to pay it, it usually gets subtracted
These deductions are why some people who make “a lot” still get approved.
Real-life examples (like actually happening to people)
Example 1: Family of 4, both parents work
Gross: $4,200/month
After deductions (standard + 20% work + huge rent) → net drops to like $2,300
They qualify! Might get $300–$500 in food benefits every month.
Example 2: Grandma living alone (65 years old)
Gross: $2,500 (Social Security + little side gig)
No gross test needed!
After medical bills + rent deduction → net like $1,450
She gets approved easy even though gross looks kinda high.
Example 3: Mom + 2 kids, high rent
Gross $5,000 → seems too much, right?
But after big shelter deduction + standard + work deduction → net only $2,600
Still qualifies!
Why some people qualify even if gross income looks too high
- Colorado lets you go up to 200% poverty level (not just 130% like some states)
- Deductions are HUGE — especially rent, medical stuff, and childcare
- Old people or disabled people get special rules (sometimes no gross test at all)
Bottom line: Don’t look at your gross and give up! Apply anyway. Tons of families think they’re over the limit but actually get help because of deductions.
Wanna check if you might qualify? Go to Colorado PEAK online — they have a quick pre-screener. Takes like 5 minutes.
For the full list of limits check out: [Colorado SNAP Income Limits 2026]
