The U.S. Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has announced that people who get Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will now be able to get higher payments. In 49 states and U.S. territories, the maximum benefits will go up starting in October.
In one state, however, the maximum will go down. The new rates will be in place for the whole fiscal year of 2025, or until the next Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is set for the fiscal year of 2026.
SNAP is an important government program that helps low-income families in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories by giving them money every month. This help comes in the form of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards that can be used to buy food at certain stores.
Every month, the rewards are given out. Even though the news has been sent out, the changes won’t show up until October 1, according to proof from the FNS. The Food Action and Research Center says that right now, about 36% of families that get SNAP benefits are given the maximum amount. This is not surprising when you think about how inflation has affected food prices.
Changes in SNAP depending on location
The new highest monthly benefit for a single person living alone in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., will be $292, up $1 from the previous amount of $291.
The maximum amount that a family of four can get will go from $973 per month to $975 per month, a rise of only $2. Even though this is a small rise, it can help families when added to other programs and every dollar counts.
In Alaska, the amounts of SNAP benefits are different depending on whether the recipients live in a rural or urban place. This is because Alaska has a diverse population density. An urban household with one person can get up to $377 a month in benefits, while a family with four people can get up to $1,258 a month.
In Rural 1 areas, the biggest gain is higher: households with one person get $481 and households with four people get $1,604. Rural 2 places have the highest rates. A household with one person can get $586 a month, and a household with four people can get up to $1,953.
Hawaii’s highest SNAP benefits, on the other hand, will go down. The most that single-person families can get will go down from $527 to $517. Similarly, the benefit for a family of four will go down from $1,759 to $1,723, which is a $36 drop.
SNAP benefits will go up a little for Guam. The most a single candidate will get will go up from $430 to $431, and the most a family of four will get will go up from $1,434 to $1,437.
In the same way, the highest benefit will go up a little in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The benefit amount for a single person will go up from $375 to $376, and the benefit amount for a family of four will go up from $1,251 to $1,254.
In order to be eligible for SNAP benefits, people must apply in their home state and meet certain standards, such as limits on their resources and income. There is more information about these requirements on the website of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
SNAP is funded by the federal government, but it is run by the states and local governments. This means that rules and standards vary from state to state.
These changes to SNAP benefits are part of the federal government’s ongoing work to fight food insecurity and make sure that low-income families can get the nutrients they need.
Every year, the annual changes help make sure that SNAP benefits are in line with the current economy. However, the effects of these changes may be different for each person and rely on where they live.
Also See:- Hillsborough Residents Beware: $100 Tax Refund Scams Rising!