The gross income limit for Maine SNAP in FY 2025 is 200% of the Federal Poverty Level: $2,510 for a one-person household, $3,408 for two, $4,304 for three, and $5,200 for four, plus $898 per additional member (Food and Nutrition Service). Households with elderly or disabled members may qualify under the net limit of 100% FPL. Gross income includes wages, self-employment, and most cash benefits. To verify your exact limit, visit the Maine DHHS SNAP eligibility page.

Maine residents can apply online via My Maine Connection (mymaineconnection.gov), creating an account and completing the SNAP prescreening tool (mymaineconnection.gov). You’ll upload required documents—proof of identity, income, and shelter costs—and submit electronically. The Office for Family Independence must decide within 30 days. If you need assistance, you can call 1-800-442-6003.

In Maine, SNAP benefits post between the 10th and 14th of each month (Newsweek). Exact dates vary by recipient’s case number. You can view your benefit date on the Pine Tree Card portal (QUEST network). If the date lands on a weekend or holiday, funds are available the next business day.

Maine SNAP allows deductions for shelter costs (rent/mortgage, utilities), a standard 20% earned income deduction, dependent care, medical expenses for elderly/disabled members, and legally obligated child support (Food and Nutrition Service). These reduce your gross income to calculate net income eligibility. You must provide documentation for shelter and medical deductions. Dependent care must be necessary for work or training.

Maine imposes no asset limit for most SNAP applicants as of FY 2025 (Food and Nutrition Service). Households are not judged on countable resources like bank balances or vehicles. Exceptions apply for households with elderly or disabled members if they have a member in a medical institution. Always verify current rules on the Maine DHHS website.

Certain qualified non-citizens (green card holders, refugees, asylees) can receive SNAP in Maine; undocumented immigrants are ineligible (Food and Nutrition Service). Eligibility depends on immigration status and date of entry. All applicants must also meet income and resource requirements. Mixed-status households may still qualify if at least one member is eligible.

Calculate your benefit by subtracting 30% of your net monthly income from the maximum allotment for your household size (e.g., $768 for three people) (Propel). If net income is $1,000, 30% is $300, so estimated benefit would be $768 − $300 = $468. Benefits cannot fall below the $23 minimum. Use an online SNAP calculator for precision.

Maine Harvest Bucks—also known as SUN Bucks—provides a one-time summer EBT benefit to families with children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals (Maine). Families receive $60 per eligible child on their Pine Tree Card before June 15, 2025. Funds can be spent on groceries at authorized retailers. No application is needed if children received school-year benefits.

College students enrolled at least half-time qualify only if they meet work-study requirements, have dependents, or meet income thresholds (Food and Nutrition Service). Generally, students must work 20+ hours per week, receive a federal or state work-study award, or care for a child under six. Full-time students without these exceptions are ineligible. Always confirm student rules with OFI.

Visit the Pine Tree Card website (QUEST network) or call 1-866-853-3186 and enter your card number and PIN (Maine). You can also check balances at POS terminals in participating stores. Maine DHHS does not charge fees for balance inquiries. Keep your PIN confidential to protect your benefits.

Annual Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) occur each October; for FY 2025, benefits increased modestly based on the Thrifty Food Plan (Propel). The next adjustment will be effective October 1, 2025, reflecting food-price inflation. Exact amounts will be published by USDA in mid-September 2025. Check FNS’s FY 2025 COLA memo for details.

Counted income includes wages, self-employment, unemployment, and most cash assistance; non-counted income includes SNAP benefits and child support received (Food and Nutrition Service). Exclusions also cover foster care payments and certain educational grants. Use OFI’s income worksheet to tally gross and net income. Accurate reporting prevents overpayments.

Yes—authorized farmers’ markets across Maine accept EBT and double dollar programs like Harvest Bucks (Maine). Look for the “SNAP/EBT Welcome Here” signage. Some markets participate in Maine Harvest Bucks, matching up to $25 of EBT purchases. Always ask vendors before checkout.

Standard applications must be processed within 30 days of receipt; expedited cases (income <$150/month and resources <$100) are decided within 7 days (Food and Nutrition Service). You’ll receive a notice by mail. If you miss the deadline, contact OFI immediately. Keep copies of all submitted documents.

You may request an administrative fair hearing within 90 days of the denial notice (Food and Nutrition Service). Submit Form 8 to DHHS, indicating why you disagree with the decision. Benefits continue if you request a hearing within 10 days of denial. Legal aid organizations often support hearings pro bono.

Generally, SNAP only covers unprepared grocery items; however, certain elderly or disabled recipients may use Restaurant Meals Program in some Maine counties—check OFI’s list of approved restaurants (Food and Nutrition Service). Most participants must buy raw ingredients. Restaurant purchases require special authorization.

Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) must work or train for at least 80 hours/month or face benefit time limits (Food and Nutrition Service). Exemptions include pregnancy, caring for a child under six, or disability. OFI provides work-search and training resources to maintain eligibility.

If you move from Maine, reapply in your new state within 30 days to avoid a benefit gap (Food and Nutrition Service). Your Maine EBT card won’t work elsewhere. New states have different income limits and rules—check their SNAP office website immediately after moving.

The QUEST mobile app lets you view balances, transaction history, and benefit dates securely on your smartphone (Maine). Download from the App Store or Google Play and log in with your Pine Tree Card credentials. No fees apply for app usage.

Follow Maine DHHS Office for Family Independence (OFI) on Twitter (@MaineDHHS) and subscribe to USDA FNS newsletters for federal updates (Food and Nutrition Service, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities). Local news outlets like Maine Public regularly report on SNAP policy changes. Bookmark fns.usda.gov/snap for official national announcements.