Honk News – As the new year unfolds, a transformation occurs, prompting American families to revisit their life plans centered around income and budgets. This is crucial for meeting essential needs, particularly for those reliant on government assistance, as agencies also implement changes regarding allocations and amounts for all beneficiaries.
USDA adjusts SNAP amounts based on COLA
In 2025, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will implement changes reflecting the cost of living adjustments. These adjustments, commonly referred to as COLA, are essentially the yearly increases applied to Social Security and SSI payments, determined by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers.
The program, managed by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, implements changes to maximum allocations, deductions, and eligibility at the start of each federal fiscal year. It’s important to understand how these adjustments may affect your income if you are currently a beneficiary, or whether you might qualify based on the new criteria.
Read More – SNAP Changes: Under These Circumstances, You Can Ask for Food Stamps
Increases in Fiscal Year 2025
In fiscal year 2025, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has raised the maximum amounts and housing caps for the majority of states and territories across the nation, including 48 states, Washington D.C., Alaska, Guam, and the Virgin Islands, following the implementation of COLA allocations on October 1, 2024.
The following outlines the highest SNAP allocations for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia, set to take effect in September 2025, based on data from the USDA:
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit (2025) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $292 |
| 2 | $536 |
| 3 | $768 |
| 4 | $975 |
| 5 | $1,158 |
| 6 | $1,390 |
| 7 | $1,536 |
| 8 | $1,756 |
Also Read – Social Security Payment from $967 to $1800 in January 2025: Who Qualifies and When You will Get It
The highest amount designated for a family of three residing in the 48 states and the District of Columbia is $768, with an additional $220 allocated for each extra member.