Millions of people in the U.S. are getting ready to get their SNAP payments, which are also called “Food Stamps.” The Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2025 will be included in the payouts this month, which makes it extra important. This change is meant to help people deal with inflation and higher food costs.
In October 2024, the most SNAP benefits a family can get will depend on how many people live in the family and how much money they make.
Every state follows the rules set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), but the exact amount can change depending on things like the cost of living in each state. The most that most U.S. households can get is $1,756 for a family of eight, plus an extra $220 for each new family member.
States offering up to $1,756 in SNAP payments
But the times when SNAP payments are sent out vary from state to state. In some places, the benefits are given out all at once, while in others, they are spread out over several days during the month. The following is a list of payment due dates for some states:
- Alabama: October 4-23
- Arizona: October 1-13
- California: October 1-10
- Florida: October 1-28
- Georgia: October 5-23
- Texas: October 1-28
In certain states, such as Alaska, Vermont, Rhode Island, and North Dakota, the payments are made in a single day, making them exceptions to the staggered schedule that is common in most states.
Here is a list of states where households can receive up to $1,756 in SNAP payments if eligible:
- Massachusetts: October 1-14
- Michigan: October 3-21
- Nebraska: October 1-5
- New York: October 1-9
- Ohio: October 2-20
- Washington: October 1-20
Variations in payments by state
Because of higher inflation and higher costs of living in places like Alaska and Hawaii, SNAP payouts are usually higher there than in other states. These differences are meant to make sure that people in these places get the right help for their specific economic situations.
Maximum SNAP amounts based on household size
The amount of SNAP benefits a household receives is primarily determined by two factors: the household size and its income level. Below are the maximum benefits for households in the 48 contiguous states:
- 1 person: $292
- 2 people: $536
- 3 people: $768
- 4 people: $975
- 5 people: $1,158
- 6 people: $1,390
- 7 people: $1,536
- 8 people: $1,756
For households with more than eight people, an additional $220 is added for each extra member.
The Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2025
The Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2025 will be part of the SNAP payouts in October 2024. The raise is meant to help recipients deal with the rising cost of living, but it shouldn’t make a big difference. Even a small raise can help, especially when food prices are going up and inflation is high.
How to check if you’re eligible for SNAP
People who want to get SNAP benefits must meet certain income and wealth limits set by the USDA. It’s important to check the local rules because eligibility may be slightly different from state to state. How much help a family gets depends on things like their wealth, how many dependents they have, and whether anyone in their family is elderly or disabled.
