The changes to SNAP benefits coming into effect in October

This month, SNAP beneficiaries may see a change to the benefit amount loaded onto their benefit card. Each year, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees the federal program, adjusts the maximum benefit amounts based on changes in consumer prices.

Over forty-two million people in the US rely on SNAP benefits. In 2020, according to the USDA, the gross monthly income of the households was $889, and the average benefit amount stood at $230.

Changes to SNAP going into effect in October

This year, the increases are very small, with maximum benefits increasing between $1 and $4 depending on household size. The maximum amounts are not often the benefit amount distributed to families as that calculation is based on income and the assets owned by the household, in addition to the number of members. These are the increases for Washington DC and all states minus Alaska and Hawaii.

The maximum amounts for the 2024/2025 fiscal year for Alaska, Hawai, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands can be found on the USDA’s website.

In addition to changes in benefit amount, the income eligibility requirements have also been adjusted. Although SNAP is a federal program, it is administered by the states, meaning that the criteria differs slightly across geographies. The states use federal criteria, but can also choose to expand benefit access to a larger subset of the population should they so choose. All states use the federal standards Like changes to the maximum benefit amounts, the adjustments made to the income standards have not been dramatically altered. The updated income requirements were published by the USDA earlier this year.

In some states the distribution of benefits is already for October, and it is at the point of receiving one’s benefits that they will be able to take note of any changes to their benefit amounts.

Social Security COLA for 2025 will be released next week

Next week, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will release the 2025 Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that will be applied to benefits starting in January. In 2022, seniors made up just over 18 percent of SNAP beneficiaries, highlighting the cost of living crisis that affects this age group. In addition to the benefit adjustments to SNAP made by the USDA, the Social Security COLA (for those who receive benefits, including SSI and SSDI) also boosts household purchasing power. Though the COLA tacked onto SSA benefits has been an imperfect marker for inflation, it has still protected incomes from the destructive power of inflation.