Legislators in the state of New York have unveiled fresh legislation aimed at raising the minimum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit to $100 per household. The present baseline assistance for qualifying households with one or two members stands at $23 for the fiscal year 2024, covering the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia.
This proposed adjustment seeks to address the evolving needs of individuals and families, ensuring a more robust support food stamps system to combat food insecurity and enhance the overall well-being of vulnerable populations in the state. Senator Rachel May unveiled a groundbreaking proposal on December 7, introducing a fresh bill aimed at elevating the minimum support to $100 per household in the state of New York.
Elevating the SNAP Benefits’ Minimum Payments in New York
As per the criteria outlined in federal guidelines, households meeting the minimum requirements will receive additional assistance from the state, ensuring they reach the mandated $100 threshold. A multitude of state legislators have endorsed a letter urging Governor Kathy Hochul to endorse an augmentation of SNAP benefits.
Families in Central New York reaped the advantages of SNAP emergency aid amid the pandemic, facing an average monthly loss of $151 when the benefits expired earlier this year. Establishing a minimum monthly benefit could play a pivotal role in averting exacerbated food insecurity in New York, particularly in Central New York, where the SNAP participation rate is the highest in the nation.
Other States Asking to Raise the Minimum SNAP Payments
New Jersey made history as the pioneer state to ensure a minimum SNAP benefit. Earlier this year, Public Square Amplified disclosed that Governor Phil Murphy enacted a legislative measure aimed at elevating the minimum benefit in the state to $95, addressing the escalating costs of groceries.
In a similar vein, legislators in West Virginia and California have put forth bills seeking to augment the monthly SNAP benefits for specific households. As recently reported, one West Virginia bill advocates for raising monthly SNAP benefits to at least match federal emergency allotments for pregnant individuals and households with children. Meanwhile, Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-Calif.) has introduced a bill in California to elevate the state’s minimum monthly SNAP payment to $50 by January 2025.
Maximum SNAP Payments in 2024
The SNAP benefits just increased as for the 2024 Fiscal Year, and here are the maximum payments according to the household’s size, applying for the 48 contiguous states. If you reside in Hawaii or Alaska, ask your local SNAP office because those states have different values.
Household size, increased amount in 48 contiguous states, and percentage of increase:
- 1 person: $1,133 – 3.6%
- 2 people: $1,526 – 3.7%
- 3 people: $1920 – 3.5%
- 4 people: $2,313 – 3.6%
- 5 people: $2,706 – 3.5%
- 6 people: $3,100 – 3.5%
- 7 people: $3,493 – 3.5%
- 8 people: $3,886 – 3.5%
- Each additional person: $394 – 3.8%