In 2024, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is set to boost SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefit payments based on the Thrifty Food Plan, an estimation of the cost of providing economical meals. These increases are anticipated to range from 3.5% to 3.7% compared to the 2023 allocations.
However, the actual rise in SNAP benefits -formerly known as the Food Stamps program- depends on factors like income and location, with higher payments in states characterized by elevated living costs, such as Alaska and Hawaii. For a family of four, the maximum monthly SNAP payment is expected to increase from $939 to $973.
Will the SNAP Increments to Deal With Cost of Living and Inflation?
Advocacy groups argue that the boost may not suffice to cover the actual expenses of meals, especially in regions with elevated living costs. An analysis by The Urban Institute revealed that in 2022, SNAP benefits failed to cover the cost of a meal in 99% of counties. Furthermore, food prices can vary significantly based on geographical location, and SNAP benefits may not fully address these disparities.
Apart from these considerations, the SNAP system has already determined what the increases will be for next year. According to the numbers revealed by the USDA, this is how the payments will remain, depending on the number of people who are included in a household (in the 48 contiguous states and DC):
- 1 person: $291
- 2 people: $535
- 3 people: $766
- 4 people: $973
- 5 people: $1,155
- 6 people: $1,386
- 7 people: $1,532
- 8 people: $1,751
- Each additional person: $219
- The minimum benefit amount is staying the same this year, which is $23 a month.
Since the cost-of-living is divergent in other regions, the program offers varying benefits across different regions of the United States, with certain areas experiencing higher allocations. States such as Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands stand out for their relatively elevated benefit levels. For instance, in Alaska, a family of four may receive a maximum benefit of up to $1,937.
As of October 1, Hawaii is witnessing a reduction in its maximum allotment. Previously set at $1,759 for a family of four, the maximum SNAP benefit in Hawaii is decreasing, impacting the support available to households in need.
Monthly Income Limits to Change for SNAP Recipients
- 1 person: $1,580
- 2 people: $2,137
- 3 people: $2,694
- 4 people: $3,250
- 5 people: $3,807
- 6 people: $4,364
- 7 people: $4,921
- 8 people: $5,478
Both the numbers of the benefits to be delivered to the recipients and the income limits will be in force from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024. By that time, the USDA will announce what the new amounts based on inflation and the COLA index are to be announced.