The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has implemented adjustments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for fiscal year 2024 (October 2023–September 2024). These adjustments include an increase in maximum benefit allotments, providing eligible households with greater purchasing power for groceries.
The maximum food stamps for all household sizes have risen. For example, a family of four in the 48 contiguous states and D.C. will now receive a $34 per month increase, bringing their maximum allotment to $973. Now, what happened for families of other sizes? Know what the future holds for you in 2024.
SNAP Benefits Increased: You’ll Get More Cash
As we have been saying, there was a significant increase in the payable values of the SNAP benefits that are already in force. Below is the detail of the food stamps according to the size of the household, from 1 person to 8, and how much can be charged for each additional member after that number, according to the USDA official website.
SNAP benefits for the 48 contiguous states and District of Columbia:
- Household size 1: $291
- Household size 2: $535
- Household size 3: $766
- Household size 4: $973
- Household size 5: $1,155
- Household size 6: $1,386
- Household size 7: $1,532
- Household size 8: $1,751
- Each additional person: $219
SNAP benefits for the three areas of Alaska (Urban, Rural 1 and Rural 2, respectively):
- Household size 1: $374, 477, 581
- Household size 2: $686, $875 $1,065
- Household size 3: $983, $1,253, $1,525
- Household size 4: $1,248, $1,591, $1,937
- Household size 5: $1,482, $1,890, $2,300
- Household size 6: $1,778 $2,268 $2,760
- Household size 7: $1,966 $2,506 $3,051
- Household size 8: $2,246 $2,865 $3,487
- Each additional person: +$281, +$358, +$436
SNAP benefits for the three areas of Guam, Hawaii and Virgin Islands, respectively:
- Household size 1: $430, $527, $375
- Household size 2: $788, $967, $688
- Household size 3: $1,129, $1,385, $985
- Household size 4: $1,434, $1,759, $1,251
- Household size 5: $1,703, $2,088, $1,485
- Household size 6: $2,044, $2,506, $1,782
- Household size 7: $2,259, $2,770, $1,970
- Household size 8: $2,581, $3,166, $2,252
- Each additional person: +$323, +$396, +$282
How to Qualify for SNAP Benefits in 2024?
To qualify for SNAP benefits in 2024, you’ll need to meet specific requirements regarding your citizenship, income, and resources. Here’s a breakdown of the key criteria:
Citizenship:
- U.S. citizens: You automatically qualify regardless of immigration status.
- Certain lawfully present non-citizens: You must meet one of the following conditions:
- Lived in the U.S. for at least five years continuously.
- Be a refugee, asylee, or Cuban/Haitian entrant with status for at least one year.
- Be granted conditional residence based on battered spouse or child provisions.
- Be a dependent of a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen.
Income:
- You must have a gross monthly income below 130% of the federal poverty level for your household size. These income limits are adjusted annually, so the exact figures for 2024 haven’t been released yet. However, for reference, the current (2023) limit for a household of three is $2,694 per month.
- You can expect moderate increases in these income limits for 2024 due to cost-of-living adjustments.
Resources:
- Your household’s countable resources (assets like cash, bank accounts, stocks) must be below a specific limit. This limit is currently $2,750 for most households and $4,250 for households with at least one member aged 60 or older or disabled. These limits will remain unchanged in 2024.
Additional requirements:
- You must live in a state that participates in SNAP (all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as Guam and U.S. Virgin Islands).
- You must be a member of a household that includes at least one U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen.
- You must register for work (with some exemptions) if you are between 18 and 50 years old and able-bodied. However, this requirement has been temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Take into account that specific requirements must apply in your state of residence, so it’s advisable to ask your local SNAP office before starting the process.