SNAP or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, gives financial support to families in need. In this way, depending on their personal situation, they will cash a different amount of money.
Bear in mind that despite the fact that food prices continue to go up, SNAP amounts will not increase until October 1, 2024. Do not forget that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recently increased benefits from October 1, 2023.
It is true that there are millions of SNAP beneficiaries who have not cashed their benefits this month yet. So, they will receive the new COLA increase this month.
HOW MUCH HAVE SNAP BENEFITS INCREASED DUE TO INFLATION ON OCTOBER 1, 2023?
From October 1, 2023, SNAP beneficiaries will receive approximately 3.5 percent more per month. Therefore, there has been a decrease in inflation when compared with last year’s COLA increase.
What is more, Food Stamp amounts are not the same all over the United States. For example, if you are an individual in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia you can now collect up to $291.
Hence, there has been a ten-dollar increase, which may not seem much due to high food prices. From October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023, the maximum SNAP allotment for a single person was just 281 dollars.
Being one single person or even a couple seems to be more convenient. USDA gives a little more money to families with 1, 2, or 3 members. A four-member family can collect up to $973, so about 243 dollars per person. Much less than a single person.
Although maximum amounts are larger if you have a big family, the amount per person is smaller. For instance, an 8-member family can receive SNAP payments of up to $1,751 (about $218 per person).
Believe it or not, the Food Stamp amounts in Hawaii have become smaller. Recipients have gotten a reduction. So, they now can cash up to $3,166 if they are 8 members, down from $3,230. Alaska, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have larger payments than in the 48 contiguous states too.