Big Changes Coming in October – SNAP Benefits Set to Increase

Every October, some recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits see their payments rise due to the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). This adjustment is crucial to ensure that the benefits recipients receive retain their purchasing power in the face of inflation. For those struggling to meet basic nutritional needs, especially in low- or no-income households, this increase makes a meaningful difference.

Let’s break down the new allotments and know how different households and regions are affected by this COLA for 2024-2025.

Adjustments by State

For the vast majority of SNAP recipients, including those in 48 contiguous states and Washington D.C., the change is modest. A single-person household will see a small increase, with the maximum monthly benefit rising by $1 to $292. For a household of four people, the amount will increase from $973 to $975—just a $2 difference.

Here’s a quick overview:

Household Size	Old Max Allotment	New Max Allotment
1 Person	$291	$292
4 People	$973	$975

Alaska

The structure is slightly different in Alaska, where SNAP benefits are adjusted based on whether a recipient lives in an urban, rural, or more remote part of the state. Here, the payment structure accounts for the higher cost of living in remote areas.

For a single person, the monthly allotment in urban areas will rise to $377. However, in the most remote rural areas, the amount increases significantly to $586.

For a four-person household:

Location	Old Max Allotment	New Max Allotment
Urban	$1,258	$1,258
Rural 1	$1,604	$1,604
Rural 2	$1,953	$1,953

Hawaii

Unlike most states, Hawaii will actually see a decrease in benefits. A single-person household will experience a drop in the maximum allotment from $527 to $517, and a household of four will see a $36 reduction, from $1,759 to $1,723.

Household Size	Old Max Allotment	New Max Allotment
1 Person	$527	$517
4 People	$1,759	$1,723

U.S. Territories

The U.S. territories like the Virgin Islands and Guam have their own adjustments. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, the maximum benefit for a single-person household will rise from $375 to $376, while for a family of four, the benefit goes up by $3 to $1,254.

Similarly, in Guam, a single-person household will see a $1 increase, bringing the total to $431, and a four-person household will receive $1,437—an increase of just $3.

Eligibility

If you think you might qualify for SNAP benefits, you’ll need to apply in the state where you live. Eligibility criteria include specific income and resource limits, and these requirements can vary from state to state. Each state administers SNAP at the local level, though the funds come from the federal government.

Payments are also distributed differently depending on where you live. Some states provide all benefits on the same day each month, while others distribute them throughout the month, often depending on the recipient’s last name or Social Security number.

The COLA adjustments to SNAP benefits, though modest in many cases, are essential to help recipients keep up with rising prices. While most households will see small increases in their monthly benefits, residents of Hawaii face slight reductions.

Alaska’s unique regional structure also results in higher benefits in its rural areas to accommodate the higher cost of living. This annual adjustment ensures that SNAP recipients can continue to afford basic nutritional needs even as inflation changes the cost of goods.

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