SNAP recipients need to prepare for some major changes this month.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits low-income Americans and helps them access healthy foods each month. Specific SNAP maximum allotments, deductions and income eligibility change each year in line with the beginning of the fiscal year, which commenced on October 1.
There’s some good news for SNAP recipients this year. The maximum allotments increased for this new fiscal year, but recipients must check the specific eligibility requirements based on their location and household size.
“The income amount to qualify for SNAP benefits is lower this year, and recipients should see slightly more in their monthly allotment because of increases associated with inflation,” Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek.
“While this is positive news for recipients, in most situations, the actual dollar increase will be fairly small year-over-year.”
Most allotments will only rise by a few dollars a month.
The monthly benefits for a household of one only increase to $292 from $291. However, if you’re a family of four, expect your allotment to rise from $973 to $975. In an eight-person household, you could get as much as $1,756 this year, up from $1,751.
A shopper browses at a supermarket in South Burlington, Vermont, on July 1, 2023. SNAP benefits are set to change in October.
Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images
The full list of maximum SNAP benefits for the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., are as follows:
- Household Size 1 – $292 (2023-2024 Amount: $291)
- Household Size 2 – $536 (2023-2024 Amount: $535)
- Household Size 3 – $768 (2023-2024 Amount: $766)
- Household Size 4 – $975 (2023-2024 Amount: $973)
- Household Size 5 – $1,158 (2023-2024 Amount: $1,155)
- Household Size 6 – $1,390 (2023-2024 Amount: $1,386)
- Household Size 7 – $1,536 (2023-2024 Amount: $1,532)
- Household Size 8 – $1,756 (2023-2024 Amount: $1,751)
Maximum allotments will be higher in Hawaii, Alaska, the Virgin Islands and Guam due to higher average food prices.
“It will be up to recipients to make the best use of those dollars, especially with higher prices on my items SNAP benefits cover,” Beene said. “With inflation starting to cool, the odds are cost-of-living adjustments are going to be less significant on benefits going forward, and recipients need to plan for that.”
The exact income eligibility will differ based on your state, but the new changes are made to reflect inflation and the current economy better.
Kevin Thompson, a finance expert and the founder and CEO of 9i Capital Group, said the biggest change will be SNAP’s cost-of-living adjustment to reflect the higher prices of food, but the expansion of work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) will also be crucial.
ABAWDs aged 52 to 54 must show they are working, training or in school to qualify for benefits. And those younger have been forced to work at least 80 hours a month, attend school or be in training to get SNAP benefits for more than three months.
“Expanding work requirements for ABAWDs aims to align with the growing need for able-bodied individuals in the workforce,” Thompson told Newsweek.
“Even though the benefit increases may seem small, they reflect inflationary pressures that continue to affect food prices. While I don’t expect the benefit increases to be significant for most families, the changes to ABAWD requirements could have a more meaningful impact on workforce participation,” he said.
Those experiencing homelessness, veterans and young adults from ages 18 to 24 who aged out of foster care do not have to meet the work requirements. Similarly, those who have disabilities, are pregnant or have a child in their home will not have to meet the same criteria.
