Benefits being provided through the “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program” are set to increase TODAY (October 1st, 2024).  The “Cost of Living Adjustment”, impacts maximum allotments for those who receive SNAP – commonly known as food stamps.   The changes will last until September 30th of next year (2025).

The new maximum SNAP allotments are:

• 1 person household – $292
• 2 person household – $536
• 3 person household – $768
• 4 person household- $975
• 5 person household – $1,158
• 6 person household – $1,390
• 7 person household – $1,536
• 8 person household – $1,756
• Each additional person adds $220 to the monthly total.

Residents in Alaska, Hawaii, Virgin Islands and Guam – are set to receive additional benefits due to the higher price of food in those areas.

SNAP eligibility depends on household income and assets and is adjusted yearly.

You can see the current eligibility guidelines here.

Some 42.1 million people, roughly 12.6% of people in the U.S. – benefited from SNAP each month in 2023 and that’s according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  The average benefit was $211.93 per month; state-by-state participation rates ranges from a low of 4.6% in Utah up to 23.1% in New Mexico.  In Alabama 15.2% of the population receive SNAP benefits.

10 states with highest SNAP participation rates

1. New Mexico – 23.1%
2. District of Columbia – 20.4%
3. Louisiana – 19.6%
4. West Virginia – 17.4%
5. Oregon – 17.3%
6. Oklahoma – 16.8%
7. Illinois – 16.2%
8. Massachusetts – 15.5%
9. Nevada – 15.4%
10. Alabama – 15.2%

10 states with the lowest SNAP participation rates

1. Utah – 4.6%
2. Wyoming – 5.1%
3. New Hampshire – 5.3%
4. North Dakota – 5.8%
5. Idaho – 6.2%
6. Kansas – 6.4%
7. Alaska – 7.4%
8. Montana – 7.5%
9. South Dakota – 7.8%
10. Nebraska – 7.9%