Who will be eligible for the next SNAP benefits of $766?
Every month millions of households receive SNAP benefits so that they can put healthy nutritious food on the table. These are the families that qualify.
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, the largest food aid program in the country, is a federal program run by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) but administered by state agencies in partnership with the national government.
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.
Who will be eligible for the next SNAP benefits of $766?
New work requirements were implemented last year but there are certain exceptions, including people who are pregnant, have mental or physical limitations, or live with children. The age able-bodied workers without children must work or participate in a training program for at least 80 hours per month was raised to 52, and that will increase to 54 in October 2024.
However, veterans, the homeless, and adults ages 18-24 who were previously in foster care will be exempted from the work requirement in order to claim SNAP benefits.
Amounts that households may receive each month vary from state to state. However, the USDA has a table of the maximum payments one can receive, depending on the number of household members. After the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) of 3.2%, the maximum amount of SNAP coupons for 2024 is as follows:
| 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 |
The above amounts will remain in force until September of this year. After that, the USDA will announce the cost-of-living adjustment, which will increase payments from October 2024 to September 2025.
As you can see, the maximum amount for a household with three members is $766. These payments are made at different times in each state, but the majority send them in the first two weeks of each month.
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.