The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a crucial food and nutrition service program, has undergone significant changes for 2024. These updates affect both benefit amounts and eligibility requirements, impacting millions of Americans who rely on SNAP to access nutritious food.
As of October 1, 2023, SNAP benefits have increased by 12.5% compared to the previous year. This adjustment reflects the rising cost of living and aims to help recipients afford groceries amidst inflation. The increase is based on the Consumer Price Index from June 2022, as calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service, which oversees SNAP under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, implements these annual cost of living adjustments (COLA).
Maximum SNAP allotments, the highest benefit amount a household can receive, vary by location and household size. For a family of four in the contiguous U.S. and Washington D.C., the maximum allotment is now $973. Allotments differ for Alaska, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Hawaii, with Hawaii being the only location experiencing a decrease.
Along with increased benefit amounts, eligibility requirements for SNAP have also changed. The Fiscal Responsibility Act, signed by President Biden in June 2023, introduced stricter work requirements for certain able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) between the ages of 50 and 54. Starting October 1, 2023, ABAWDs aged 50-52 must demonstrate active work, training, or educational enrollment to qualify for benefits. This requirement will extend to those aged 54 in October 2024.
Potential SNAP recipients must apply in their state of residence and meet specific income and resource limits set by the USDA. These eligibility criteria ensure that the program serves those most in need of food assistance. The shelter cap value, which impacts benefit calculations, has also increased to $672 for the 48 contiguous states and D.C. These comprehensive changes to the food and nutrition service landscape underscore the ongoing efforts to address food insecurity and adapt to evolving economic conditions.
