In a notable shift, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries are witnessing pivotal alterations to the program’s framework. While the majority will see an uptick in their payments, those in Hawaii are bracing for a dip in their deposits. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has not only expanded the demographic needing to meet work prerequisites but also instituted a new age ceiling.
Healthy, non-dependent adults, now in the age bracket of 18 to 52, are mandated to clock in 80 hours of work. Failure to meet this minimum work requirement will restrict them to drawing SNAP benefits for merely three months, translating to receiving food coupons for approximately 90 days within a three-year span.
New SNAP Age and Work Requirements
A common query arises: What if I am capable of working but have a child to tend to? It’s imperative to note that the time limitation for healthy, non-dependent adults applies solely to those without children. Consequently, if your work capability is hindered by childcare responsibilities, an exemption may be in the cards for you.
For those without children yet maintaining a steady 80 hours of work per month, SNAP benefits continue to be accessible. Other citizens exempt from these work prerequisites include the homeless, veterans, individuals with disabilities, pregnant women, and adults aged 18 to 24 who were previously under foster care.
Aiding Those in the Employment Hunt
If job availability is scarce, fear not. The USDA allows coupon recipients to pursue training or education, enhancing their prospects of landing new employment opportunities.
This policy was activated on October 1, 2023. However, brace for another age increment come October 1, 2024. Thus, those aged between 18 and 54 at that juncture will need to adhere to the ABAWD (Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents) time limit and work mandate.
In a landscape where economic policies are perpetually evolving, staying abreast of these changes ensures that beneficiaries can navigate through the modifications seamlessly, safeguarding their access to essential resources such as SNAP.
DOES THE NEW COLA INCREASE INCREASE SNAP PAYMENTS?
As with Social Security checks, SNAP payments also see an increase from the COLA. However, we will not have to wait until 2024 to see the increase. At the time of the COLA announcement it begins to take effect on Food Stamps.
So as of right now SNAP checks have an added 3.2% unless the United States Government announces otherwise in the next few days. Overall, this increase will come in very handy for Americans to have a better budget to buy fresh food.
All in all, if you are waiting for the COLA increase you will be able to enjoy it starting in January if you have a Social Security check, either for disability or retirement, or starting now if you have an accepted SNAP benefit.
SNAP coupon payment schedule in October 2023: Dates by State
Although SNAP vouchers are part of a federal program, they are administered by state governments, so distribution days vary from state to state.
Here is the SNAP payment schedule by state for October 2023:
- Alabama: Oct. 4-23
- Alaska: October 1
- Arizona: October 1 – October 13
- Arkansas: October 4 – October 13
- California: October 1 – October 10
- North Carolina: October 3 to 21
- South Carolina: October 1 to 10
- Colorado: October 1 – October 10
- Connecticut: October 1-3
- North Dakota: October 1
- South Dakota: October 10
- Delaware: October 2 – 23
- District of Columbia: October 1 – 10
- Florida: October 1 – October 28
- Georgia: October 5 – 23
- Hawaii: October 3 – October 5
- Idaho: October 1 – October 10
- Illinois: October 1 – October 10
- Indiana: October 5 – 23
- Iowa: October 1-10
- Kansas: October 1-10
- Kentucky: October 1 – October 19
- Louisiana: October 1 – 23
- Maine: October 10 – 14
- Maryland: October 4 – 23
- Massachusetts: October 1 – October 14
- Michigan: October 3 – 21
- Minnesota: October 4 – 13
- Mississippi: October 4 – October 21
- Missouri: October 1 – 22
- Montana: October 2 to 6
- Nebraska: October 1 – 5
- Nevada: October 1 to 10
- New Jersey: October 1 – 5
- New York: October 1 to 9
- New Hampshire: October 5
- New Mexico: October 1 – 20
- Ohio: October 2 – 20
- Oklahoma: October 1 – 10
- Oregon: October 1 – October 9
- Pennsylvania: October 3 to 14
- Rhode Island: October 1
- Tennessee: October 1 – 20
- Texas: October 1 to 28
- Utah: October 5, 11 and 15
- Vermont: October 1
- Virginia: October 1 to 7
- West Virginia: October 1 to 9
- Washington: October 1 to 20
- Wisconsin: October 1 to 15
- Wyoming: October 1 to 4
Although most recipients have already gotten their SNAP checks, there may still be a few people who have yet to receive them.