Maine SNAP benefits, issued through the state's Food Supplement Program, load onto an EBT card each month and can be spent on groceries at any store or farmers market that accepts SNAP. For federal fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027), the maximum monthly amount ranges from $306 for one person to $1,841 for a household of eight, with $225 added for each additional person beyond that. Most households receive less than the maximum because the amount is based on income and household size after deductions. This guide explains what the benefit actually covers, how Maine calculates your monthly amount, how the Maine EBT card works, and what you cannot buy with it.
If you have not yet checked whether you qualify, see our Maine SNAP eligibility and income limits guide first. This page focuses on what happens after you are approved.
What Maine SNAP Benefits Cover
SNAP dollars in Maine can be used to buy almost any food meant to be prepared and eaten at home, including:
- Fruits and vegetables, fresh, frozen, or canned
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products
- Breads and cereals
- Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
- Seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat
A number of Maine farmers markets and farm stands accept SNAP, and some offer bonus programs that double the value of SNAP dollars spent on fresh produce. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence (OFI), maintains a list of participating markets.
Maine also runs SUN Bucks (Summer EBT), a separate seasonal benefit that puts money on a card for eligible school-age children to buy groceries during summer break, when they do not have access to school meals. It is administered alongside the regular SNAP program but issued only during the summer months to qualifying families.
What You Cannot Buy With a Maine EBT Card
Federal rules set what SNAP can and cannot purchase, and Maine follows the same list as every other state. SNAP benefits cannot be used for:
- Alcohol, beer, wine, or tobacco products
- Hot, prepared foods meant to be eaten immediately (such as a hot deli sandwich or rotisserie chicken sold hot)
- Vitamins, supplements, and medicines, including over-the-counter drugs
- Pet food
- Household supplies, paper products, cleaning products, or personal hygiene items
- Non-food items such as cosmetics
- Food at a restaurant, under most circumstances
Maine does not currently participate in the federal Restaurant Meals Program, which lets elderly, disabled, or homeless SNAP recipients in a handful of other states use their benefits at approved restaurants. In Maine, SNAP dollars can only be spent on groceries from a store, co-op, or farmers market that accepts EBT.
Maine SNAP Maximum Monthly Allotment, FY2027
The table below shows the maximum a household can receive each month, effective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Most households get less than the maximum; the exact amount depends on income and deductions, covered in the next section.
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Allotment |
|---|
| 1 | $306 |
| 2 | $562 |
| 3 | $808 |
| 4 | $1,023 |
| 5 | $1,217 |
| 6 | $1,463 |
| 7 | $1,616 |
| 8 | $1,841 |
| Each additional person | +$225 |
Households of one or two people who qualify for any SNAP benefit at all are guaranteed a minimum monthly allotment of $25, even if their calculated benefit comes out lower. Larger households with no benefit left after the calculation simply do not receive a payment that month.
How Your Monthly Benefit Amount Is Calculated
Maine uses the same federal formula every state uses. The short version: your benefit is the maximum allotment for your household size, minus 30% of your net monthly income. Net income is what is left after a series of deductions are subtracted from your gross income:
- Standard deduction. Every household subtracts a flat amount based on size: $217 a month for households of one to three people, $229 for four, $268 for five, and $308 for six or more.
- Earned income deduction. If you work, 20% of your gross wages or self-employment income is subtracted before anything else is counted.
- Dependent care deduction. Amounts paid for child care or care of a dependent so a household member can work, look for work, or attend training or school.
- Medical expense deduction. For households with a member who is elderly or has a disability, medical costs above $35 a month are deductible, with no cap.
- Excess shelter deduction. Rent or mortgage, utilities, and related housing costs that exceed half of the household's income after the deductions above, up to a cap of $769 a month, unless the household includes an elderly or disabled member, in which case there is no cap.
Once net income is calculated, Maine multiplies it by 30% and subtracts that figure from the maximum allotment for the household's size. Maine does not apply an asset or resource test to most SNAP applicants, because the state uses broad-based categorical eligibility, so savings and most vehicles do not count against a household that is otherwise eligible.
Example
A single Maine resident with $1,400 in gross monthly wages and $900 in rent might see a calculation like this:
- Gross income: $1,400
- Earned income deduction (20%): -$280
- Standard deduction: -$217
- Income after those deductions: $903
- Shelter cost ($900) minus half of $903 ($451.50): $448.50 in excess shelter, under the $769 cap, so the full amount is deducted
- Net income: $903 - $448.50 = $454.50
- 30% of net income: about $136
- Benefit: $306 (maximum for one person) - $136 = about $170 a month
Every household's numbers differ, and OFI calculates the final figure when your application is processed. This example is illustrative only.
The Maine EBT Card
Maine issues SNAP benefits on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, sometimes called the Pine Tree Card. The card works like a debit card at checkout; you enter a PIN instead of signing. If you have never had a Maine EBT card before, OFI mails one within about 5 to 7 days of your SNAP approval. Your benefits load automatically each month, you do not need to reapply or request a new deposit.
Monthly Issuance Schedule
Benefits are deposited each month based on the last digit of your date of birth:
| Last digit of birth date | Benefits available on |
|---|
| 0 or 9 | 10th of the month |
| 1 or 8 | 11th of the month |
| 2 or 3 | 12th of the month |
| 4 or 7 | 13th of the month |
| 5 or 6 | 14th of the month |
If the scheduled date falls on a weekend or state holiday, benefits are typically available on the preceding business day. Benefits generally remain available on your card for use over time; check your card balance before assuming unused benefits expire quickly.
Checking Your Balance and Replacing a Lost Card
You can check your EBT balance online, through the EBT customer service phone line printed on the back of your card, or at checkout when a cashier runs a balance inquiry. If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, call the Maine EBT customer service number as soon as possible to report it and request a replacement. Reporting a lost card quickly protects any remaining balance from unauthorized use.
How to Apply for Maine SNAP
If you are not yet receiving benefits, you apply through the Office for Family Independence (OFI), which administers SNAP statewide.
- Apply online through My Maine Connection at MyMaineConnection.gov, the state's official application portal for SNAP, MaineCare, and TANF.
- Apply by phone by calling the OFI Eligibility Call Center at 1-855-797-4357, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Apply in person or by mail at a local DHHS district office, or visit 211maine.org or dial 211 for help finding the nearest office.
- Complete an interview. After you apply, OFI schedules a phone or in-person interview to verify your household details.
- Submit verification documents, such as proof of income, identity, and residency, if requested.
- Receive a decision, generally within 30 days of your application date, or within 7 days if you qualify for expedited service due to very low income or resources.
- Get your EBT card in the mail once approved, and start using it as soon as the first month's benefit loads.
Households must also complete periodic recertifications to keep benefits active; OFI sends a notice before your certification period ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I buy with my Maine EBT card?
You can buy most grocery items meant to be prepared and eaten at home, including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, cereal, and snack foods, as well as seeds and plants that grow food. You cannot buy alcohol, tobacco, hot prepared food, vitamins or medicine, pet food, or household and personal care items.
How much is the maximum SNAP benefit in Maine?
For federal fiscal year 2027 (October 2026 through September 2027), the maximum monthly SNAP allotment is $306 for one person, $562 for two, $808 for three, $1,023 for four, $1,217 for five, $1,463 for six, $1,616 for seven, and $1,841 for eight, with $225 added for each additional household member. Most households receive less than the maximum based on income.
When does my Maine EBT card get deposited each month?
Maine deposits SNAP benefits between the 10th and the 14th of each month, based on the last digit of your date of birth. If that date falls on a weekend or holiday, funds are typically available the prior business day.
Does Maine use the Restaurant Meals Program?
No. Maine does not currently participate in the federal Restaurant Meals Program, so SNAP benefits can only be used to buy groceries from participating stores, co-ops, and farmers markets, not restaurant meals.
What happens if my Maine EBT card is lost or stolen?
Call the EBT customer service number on the back of your card immediately to report it and request a replacement. Reporting it quickly helps protect any remaining balance on the card from unauthorized charges.
Is there an asset limit for Maine SNAP?
No. Maine does not apply an asset or resource test to most SNAP households because the state uses broad-based categorical eligibility. Savings and most vehicles generally do not affect your eligibility or benefit amount.
Does Maine SNAP help during the summer when school is out?
Yes. Maine participates in SUN Bucks (Summer EBT), which provides a separate benefit on a card for eligible school-age children to buy groceries during summer break, in addition to regular monthly SNAP benefits a household may already receive.
For more Maine benefit programs, including MaineCare, LIHEAP, and WIC, visit our Maine state benefits page.
