While inflation keeps food prices rising, food aid benefits are rising albeit not noticeably. Planned to take effect on October 1, 2024, are many adjustments to the SNAP benefit payments, including a rise in the maximum benefit amount.
Originally called the Food Stamp Program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is meant to assist low-income households and individuals in paying for food. Starting next month, claimants’ payouts could change somewhat as the maximum allotments rise by a few dollars.
Later Snap Benefit Increases Will Be Implemented Beginning October 1st
Once you qualify for the SNAP benefit, you should realize that the monthly payments you get depend on the income and assets of your property. The revenue needed to be qualified this year is less than it was the previous year. Starting October 1, there will be another adjustment regarding SNAP eligibility criteria. More people will have to prove they are registered in classes, training, or working to follow the Budget Responsibility Act.
The only group of SNAP recipients likely to be impacted by the adjustments are affected adults without dependents (ABAWDs, as the agency refers to them) ranging in age from 52 to 54. AVAWDs between the ages of 18 and 52 or those who have been in a longer than three-month training program already have to show that they are working at least 80 hours a month, seeking an education, or both.
Now, able-bodied, childless workers between the ages of 53 and 54 must also achieve these work criteria beginning in October 2024 to qualify for SNAP assistance.
Nexstar was informed by a USDA official that the AVAWD work standards are not without exception. Not subject to these limitations are veterans, homeless people, and young people between the ages of 18 and 24 who have aged out of foster care.
Those who are pregnant, have a kid living in their house under the age of eighteen or have a physical or mental condition and are unable to work also fall under exemptions. Should you not fit the employment requirements, you will only be qualified for three months’ worth of SNAP benefits throughout three years.
Next Month’s SNAP Benefit Increases Will be What?
As of October 1, 2024, the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia’s maximum benefit under the Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be:
|
Members of the Household
|
SNAP Benefit Amount
|
| 1 | $292 |
| 2 | $536 |
| 3 | $768 |
| 4 | $975 |
| 5 | $1,158 |
| 6 | $1,390 |
| 7 | $1,536 |
| 8 | $1,756 |
| Additional Person | $220 |
However, certain states will see a higher increase than the one listed above. These include Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, Alaska, and Hawaii. Here is a comparison.
| Members of the Household | Guam | U.S. Virgin Islands | Alaska (Average) | Hawaii |
| 1 | $431 | $376 | $481 | $517 |
| 2 | $790 | $689 | $883 | $948 |
| 3 | $1,132 | $987 | $1,264 | $1,357 |
| 4 | $1,437 | $1,254 | $1,605 | $1,723 |
| 5 | $1,707 | $1,489 | $1,906 | $2,406 |
| 6 | $2,049 | $1,787 | $2,288 | $2,456 |
| 7 | $2,264 | $1,975 | $2,528 | $2,714 |
| 8 | $2,588 | $2,257 | $2,890 | $3,102 |
| Additional Person | $324 | $282 | $361 | $388 |
Keep in mind that each extra person will receive an additional $220 in SNAP benefits. The prior year’s cost-of-living increases were more significant due to higher inflation. Food prices increased 2% in August 2024 compared to the same month the previous year.
In addition, the maximum benefit amounts differ in states with high food prices, such as Hawaii, Alaska, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. In Hawaii, for example, a family of four can get up to $1,723 to help pay for groceries.