SNAP COLA Update – Projected Average Monthly Benefit Payment for Food Stamp Recipients in 2025

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as Food Stamps, provides financial assistance to low-income households to help cover the cost of food. Each year, the payments are adjusted to account for inflation through the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently unveiled the maximum SNAP amounts for 2025, with only slight increases from the previous year.

Not all SNAP recipients qualify for the maximum payment, as the actual amount depends on household size, income, and other factors. The maximum and average payments differ, so knowing both can help recipients better estimate what they may receive.

Payments

While the USDA provides the maximum SNAP amounts, average payments often give a more realistic view of what most households can expect. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has provided estimates of average monthly payments across different household sizes for the 48 contiguous states:

Household Size	Average Monthly Payment
1 person	$199
2 people	$364
3 people	$594
4 people	$726
5 people	$845
6 people	$1,018
7 people	$1,116
8 people	$1,317

These estimates provide a clearer picture of what many SNAP recipients are likely to receive, as most households do not qualify for the maximum benefit. Actual amounts will vary based on individual circumstances, such as income and allowable deductions.

Maximum SNAP Payments

The maximum SNAP payments for 2025, following the COLA increase, have seen only modest growth. Here’s a breakdown of the new maximum monthly amounts based on household size:

Household Size	Maximum Monthly Payment	2024 Payment	2025 Increase
1 person	$292	$291	+$1
2 people	$536	$535	+$1
3 people	$768	$766	+$2
4 people	$975	$973	+$2
5 people	$1,158	$1,156	+$2
6 people	$1,390	$1,388	+$2
7 people	$1,536	$1,534	+$2
8 people	$1,756	$1,754	+$2
Each additional	$220	$219	+$1

These increases may seem small, with only a dollar or two added to most payment tiers, but they are essential in ensuring that SNAP benefits continue to adjust for inflation, no matter how minor the change.

COLA

The Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is applied each year to help SNAP recipients maintain their purchasing power as the cost of food and other essentials rises. While the increase in 2025 is not as significant as in some previous years, it ensures that benefit amounts continue to reflect changes in economic conditions.

Although the increase is modest, the maximum SNAP amounts still provide a crucial safety net for households facing food insecurity. Additionally, qualifying members in larger households will see slightly higher benefits, helping to cover the cost of feeding multiple people.

Example:

• Maximum Payment: $975 per month, up from $973.
• Estimated Average Payment: $726 per month, based on income and household circumstances.

These figures show that most households will receive an amount somewhere between the maximum and average payment, depending on their eligibility factors.

Payment Amounts

SNAP benefits are calculated based on several factors, including:

1. Household size: Larger households receive higher payments.
2. Income: Households with higher incomes receive lower payments, and those with very low incomes may qualify for the maximum benefit.
3. Allowable deductions: Certain deductions, such as housing costs and childcare expenses, can reduce countable income and increase SNAP benefits.
4. State regulations: While the federal government sets the overall framework for SNAP, states have some flexibility in administering the program, which can impact benefit amounts slightly.

The 2025 COLA brings modest increases to SNAP benefits, with the maximum monthly amount for a single person rising by just $1, from $291 to $292. While the increases may seem minor, they reflect the ongoing efforts to adjust for inflation and ensure that low-income households continue to receive the financial support they need to buy food.

For most recipients, the actual amount they receive will fall somewhere between the maximum and average payments, depending on household size, income, and other factors. As always, staying informed and keeping track of changes in eligibility and payment amounts will help families make the most of the benefits they receive.

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