SNAP benefits are set to rise for some recipients in October due to an annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), ensuring that the buying power of low- or no-income Americans is not lost to inflation. The new amounts will be in effect from October 1, 2024, until September 30, 2025, when a new COLA will be implemented. Around 36 percent of households that receive SNAP payments are entitled to the maximum monthly allotment, making these increases particularly impactful for many families.
The maximum amount available to an individual recipient living on their own in the 48 contiguous states and Washington D.C. will rise to $292 per month, up by $1 from $291. For a household with four people, the allotment will increase by $2 from $973 to $975. In Alaska, payment amounts vary depending on whether the recipient lives in an urban or rural area, with increases for both single-person and four-person households.
In Hawaii, single-household recipients will see a decrease in the maximum allotment to $517 from $527, while households with four people will also see a decrease from $1,759 to $1,723. However, in the U.S. Territories, such as the Virgin Islands and Guam, some households will see increases in their SNAP benefits, with maximum benefit amounts rising slightly for single-person and four-person households.
To see if they qualify for SNAP benefits, individuals must apply in their state of residence and meet certain requirements, including resource and income limits. SNAP is administered at a state and local level with funds provided by the federal government, leading to varying application requirements depending on where a person lives. Payments are also distributed differently based on location, with some states paying all recipients on the same day while others spread payments out over the course of a month.
Overall, the annual increase in SNAP benefits is welcomed by many recipients who rely on the program to meet their basic nutritional needs. These adjustments help ensure that struggling families are able to afford food and other essentials despite the effects of inflation. The changes in benefit amounts across different regions highlight the varied needs of SNAP recipients and the importance of these adjustments in supporting vulnerable populations.
