The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), designed to help low-income individuals and families purchase food, will undergo several changes starting October 1, 2024. These adjustments include slight increases in the maximum benefit amounts, reflecting the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).
For the 48 contiguous states and Washington D.C., the maximum monthly benefit for individuals living alone will rise to $292, an increase of $1 from the previous $291. For families of four, the maximum benefit will increase by $2, from $973 to $975 per month.
Regional Variations
In Alaska, SNAP benefits vary based on whether recipients reside in urban or rural areas. For urban areas, a single-person household will receive a maximum of $377, and a four-person household will receive $1,258. In rural areas, the benefits are higher: $481 for a single-person household and $1,604 for a four-person household in Rural Area 1, and $586 for a single-person household and $1,953 for a four-person household in Rural Area 2.
In Hawaii, there will be a decrease in the maximum allotment. Single-person households will receive $517, down from $527, and families of four will see their benefit drop from $1,759 to $1,723, a reduction of $36.
In the U.S. territories, Guam will see a slight increase where a single claimant's maximum benefit will rise from $430 to $431, and a standard family of four will see their benefit increase from $1,434 to $1,437. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, a single-person household can receive a maximum of $376, up from $375, and a family of four will see their benefit rise by $3 to $1,254.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for SNAP benefits, individuals must apply in their respective states and meet specific criteria, including income and resource limits. The income requirement to qualify for SNAP has been adjusted, and more people will need to show they are enrolled in work, training, or school to maintain eligibility. Specifically, able-bodied adults without dependents between the ages of 51 and 54 must prove they are actively working, training, or in school to qualify for SNAP benefits starting in October 2024.
The maximum gross monthly incomes for households to qualify for SNAP vary by state and household size. For example, in the 48 contiguous states and Washington D.C., a one-person household can have a maximum gross monthly income of $1,580, while in Alaska and Hawaii, the limits are higher due to the cost of living.
Impact and Additional Assistance
Approximately 36% of households receiving SNAP benefits obtain the maximum allocation. These changes aim to maintain the purchasing power of SNAP recipients amid ongoing inflation. Additionally, programs like the Double Up Food Bucks initiative can help recipients stretch their SNAP dollars further by offering two-for-one deals on fresh produce at participating stores.
