When will SNAP Food Stamp payments get an increase in 2024 due to COLA?
SNAP payments have already increased in the past few months due to the last cost of living adjustment, and the amount will go up again in October 2024.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is a federal assistance initiative that provides eligible low-income individuals and families with funds to buy food. SNAP is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is the largest food aid program in the country.
SNAP plays an important role in addressing food insecurity and hunger in the US by providing essential nutrition assistance to those who need it most. The program aims to promote health and well-being among vulnerable populations.
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service regulates SNAP maximum allotments every year. Any changes made are based on the cost of living adjustment. The last COLA increase, equivalent to 3.2%, took effect on Oct. 1, 2023, and will last until Sept. this year.
Here are the maximum amounts for SNAP payments in the 48 contiguous states and D.C. for this period.
| HOUSEHOLD SIZE | MAXIMUM ALLOTMENT |
|---|---|
| 1 | $291 |
| 2 | $535 |
| 3 | $766 |
| 4 | $973 |
| 5 | $1,155 |
| 6 | $1,386 |
| 7 | $1,532 |
| 8 | $1,751 |
| Each additional person | $219 |
READ ALSO: How much could COLA be in 2025? The first estimates for the next cost of living adjustment
When will SNAP Food Stamp payments get an increase in 2024 due to COLA?
The COLA is implemented every year to ensure that purchasing power, especially of those most in financial need, will not be affected. The increase is meant to offset inflation and price hikes. It is still too early in the year to determine what the next COLA will be, but initial estimates have already begun to emerge.
The next adjustment in SNAP benefits will be felt by recipients in October this year.
READ ALSO: SNAP beneficiaries in Washington DC will see their benefit amounts increase
While SNAP is a federal program, it is administered by state agencies in partnership with the national government. States have flexibility in how they implement and run the program, including determining eligibility criteria, processing applications, and providing additional support services to participants.
Interested parties can apply for food assistance through their state’s SNAP office, or online through the state’s designated website. The application process involves providing information about household composition, income, assets, and expenses.
To qualify, individuals and families must meet certain income and resource limits set by the federal government. Eligibility is based on factors such as household size, income, and citizenship or immigration status, and criteria may vary by state.