Any citizen who has a benefit in the United States, whether it’s SNAP Food Stamps or a monthly Social Security check knows that new changes can come every year. And those changes don’t have to be negative, although sometimes they are.
More often than not, the changes are an improvement for recipients of this benefit, as is the case with the changes for SNAP in 2024. The COLA will make it possible for citizens with this benefit to have a larger check starting in January of next year.
Not only that, but we will also see some different changes with respect to applying for this benefit. Considering that inflation has stopped increasing so aggressively, the changes may actually turn out to be positive.
Still, these changes are unalterable, so citizens can do nothing to change them. Both the COLA announced by the government and the other changes will take effect from January, but we can already know what the consequences are.
CHANGES IN SNAP FOOD STAMPS ELIGIBILITY
Not all of the changes are related to the amount of the check we will get starting in 2024. There are also changes related to the eligibility of citizens to be able to get SNAP Food Stamps.
Starting next year 2024, to be more precise on the 1st of October, the work requirements to be able to apply for this benefit will also take place until the age of 54. In other words, if we wanted to claim a Food Stamps check, it was mandatory to work for at least 80 hours a month from the age of 18 to 50.
Since last October the maximum age changed to 52 and from next year 2024 we will have an increase to 54. This may be bad news for some as it changes the eligibility requirements a bit. Therefore, if we are “able-bodied adults without dependents” (ABAWD) we will have to work that minimum number of hours until age 54 to get this benefit.
CHANGES IN FOOD STAMPS AMOUNTS
In addition to changes in the eligibility criteria United States citizens will also see changes in the SNAP Food Stamps check amounts. In the coming year 2024 both the maximum benefit and the maximum income in a family to be able to get the benefit will increase.
On the one hand, the maximum amount for a family of four will go up to $973 in the Food Stamps check. This will be for an average family of four, but the more members in the family the higher the check we will get. If we take this into account, we can see what the check will be in the following table:
- Household size 1: $291
- Household size 2: $535
- Household size 3: $766
- Household size 4: $973
- Household size 5: $1,155
- Household size 6: $1,386
- Household size 7: $1,532
- Household size 8: $1,751
- Each additional family member: $219
On the other hand, the maximum income is also important. And this will change a little bit and depending on the state you live in, the income limit may be higher or lower.
- Household Size 1. 48 States, District of Columbia, Guam, Virgin Islands: $1,580. Alaska: $1,973. Hawaii: $1,817.
- Household Size 2. 48 States, District of Columbia, Guam, Virgin Islands: $2,137. Alaska: $2,670. Hawaii: $2,457.
- Household Size 3. 48 States, District of Columbia, Guam, Virgin Islands: $2,694. Alaska: $3,366. Hawaii: $3,098.
- Household Size 4. 48 States, District of Columbia, Guam, Virgin Islands: $3,250. Alaska: $4,063. Hawaii: $3,738.
- Household Size 5. 48 States, District of Columbia, Guam, Virgin Islands: $3,807. Alaska: $4,760. Hawaii: $4,378.
- Household Size 6. 48 States, District of Columbia, Guam, Virgin Islands: $4,364. Alaska: $5,456. Hawaii: $5,018
- Household Size 7. 48 States, District of Columbia, Guam, Virgin Islands: $4,921. Alaska: $6,153. Hawaii: $5,659.
- Household Size 8.48 States. District of Columbia, Guam, Virgin Islands: $5,478. Alaska: $6,849. Hawaii: $6,299
- Each Additional Member. 48 States, District of Columbia, Guam, Virgin Islands: $557. Alaska: $697. Hawaii: $641
As can be clearly seen, in the GUAM, Virgin Islands and Hawaii, as well as in the District of Columbia, the limits are different. With these changes in mind we should know that the SNAP Food Stamps will change again in October 2024, so the modifications will be in effect until then.