Expected Changes to SNAP Benefits Eligibility: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is an initiative that grants food benefits to eligible families. The program aims to assist low-income families who obtain food through the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card in managing their grocery budgets more efficiently.
USA Today reports that 41.2 million Americans were eligible for the benefits program in 2023. The US Department of Agriculture takes into account the Cost of Living Arrangement (COLA) when determining SNAP allotments.
Regarding the SNAP allotment from the previous year, there was an approximate 12.5% increase. As anticipated, there will be modifications to the SNAP allocation this year, which are detailed below.
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Alterations to age-based SNAP eligibility
In 2024, to qualify for SNAP benefits, individuals who are citizens and fall within the age range of 51 to 52 must furnish evidence of employment, education, or training. This age restriction will be extended to 54 in October of the present year.
Nevertheless, certain individuals qualify for an exemption: adults without dependents, veterans, the destitute, pregnant women, and those with physical or mental disabilities of any kind; those under the age of 24 and in foster care on their eighteenth birthday are also exempt.
What is the maximum income allowance for SNAP-eligible individuals?
Consideration is given to the amount of a family’s SNAP benefit when determining the allotment; GoBankingRates provides the following examples:
- One-person household:
- 48 States, District of Columbia, Guam, Virgin Islands: $1,580
- Alaska: $1,973
- Hawaii: $1,817
- Two-person household:
- 48 States, District of Columbia, Guam, Virgin Islands: $2,137
- Alaska: $2,670
- Hawaii: $2,457
- Three-person household:
- 48 States, District of Columbia, Guam, Virgin Islands: $2,694
- Alaska: $3,366
- Hawaii: $3,098
- Four-person household:
- 48 States, District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands: $3,250
- Alaska: $4,063
- Hawaii: $3,738
- Five-person household:
- 48 States, District of Columbia, Guam, Virgin Islands: $3,807
- Alaska: $4,760
- Hawaii: $4,378
- Six-person household:
- 48 States, District of Columbia, Guam, Virgin Islands: $4,364
- Alaska: $5,456
- Hawaii: $5,018
- Seven-person household:
- 48 States, District of Columbia, Guam, Virgin Islands: $4,921
- Alaska: $6,153
- Hawaii: $5,659
- Eight-person household:
- 48 States, District of Columbia, Guam, Virgin Islands: $5,478
- Alaska: $6,849
- Hawaii: $6,299
- Each Additional Member
- 48 States, District of Columbia, Guam, Virgin Islands: $557
- Alaska: $697
- Hawaii: $641
In 2024, what is the utmost SNAP allotment?
Additionally, the allotment rate in the 48 states—Washington, DC, Alaska, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands—has changed.
On the contrary, Hawaii is the only state in which the allotment decreased, reducing the maximum payment for a family of four to $1,759 in Hawaii.
The minimal benefit remains at $23 for the 48 states and the District of Columbia, the same as in 2023.
According to the USDA, these are the maximum SNAP allotments per state:
- Household size 1: $291
- Household size 2: $535
- Household size 3: $766
- Household size 4: $973
- Household size 5: $1,155
- Household size 6: $1,386
- Household size 7: $1,532
- Household size 8: $1,751
- Each additional person: $219
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