Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly referred to as food stamps, is a government welfare program that helps families and individuals experiencing food insecurity.
Here are some of the SNAP changes and biggest updates in 2023.
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
Families receiving $500 in SNAP benefits from Oct. 1, 2021, to Sep. 30, 2022, will notice an increase of up to $562.50 for this year. SNAP benefits are modified yearly based on the rate of inflation. The declared increase in payments for 2023 — which technically started Oct. 1, 2022 — was 12.5%.
Increased Maximum Benefit Amounts
According to GoBanking Rates, starting from October 1, 2022, until September 30, 2023, the maximum benefit amounts for individuals enrolled in the SNAP program will increase.
The exact amount of the increased SNAP benefit depends on the number of people in the household. The amount is as follows:
- One person: will receive $281 (Previous amount: $250)
- Two-person: will receive $516 (Previous amount: $459)
- Three-person: will receive $740 (Previous amount: $658)
- Four-person: will receive $939 (Previous amount: $835)
- Five-person: will receive $1,116 (Previous amount: $992)
- Six-person: will receive $1,339 vs.(Previous amount: $1,190)
- Seven-person: will receive $1,480 (Previous amount: $1,316)
- Eight-person: will receive $1,691 (Previous amount: $1,504)
- Each additional person: will receive a maximum benefit amount of $211 (Previous amount: $188)
These SNAP changes apply to the adjacent 48 states and the District of Columbia. Residents of Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Alaska, and Hawaii have different maximums. For households in these areas, the maximum benefit amount varies based on household size, with the maximum benefit amounts increasing in all locations.
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Here is a range of SNAP changes maximums for each of these areas based on household size:
- Guam: $415-$2,493, plus $312 for each additional person beyond eight (up from $369-$2,216, plus $277 per additional person)
- U.S. Virgin Islands: $362-$2,174, plus $272 for each additional person beyond eight (up from $322-$1,933, plus $242 per additional person)
- Alaska: $351-$3,274, plus up to $409 for each additional person beyond eight (up from $322-$3,002, plus up to $375 per additional person)
- Hawaii: $538-$3,230, plus $404 for each additional person beyond eight (up from $274-$2,832, plus $354 per additional person)
Easier Eligibility Requirements
Starting Oct. 1, 2022, to qualify for SNAP benefits, households must have net monthly incomes below these levels:
- For households with only one person, the amounts are: $1,133/$1,416 /$1,303 depending on the location (48 states, Guam the and Virgin Islands/ Alaska/Hawaii, up from $1,074/$1,341/$1,235 the prior year)
- For households with two persons: $1,526/$1,908/$1,755 (up from $1,452/$1,815/$1,670)
- For households with three persons: $1,920/$2,400/$2,208 (up from $1,830/$ 2,288/$2,105)
- For households with four persons: $2,313/$2,891/$2,660 (up from $2,209/$2,761/$2,540)
- For households with five persons: $2,706/$3,383/$3,113 (up from $2,587/$3,235/$2,975)
- For households with six persons: $3,100/$3,875/$3,565 (up from $2,965/$3,708/$3,410)
- For households with seven persons: $3,493/$4,366/$4,018 (up from $3,344/$4,181/$3,845)
- For households with eight persons: $3,886/$4,858/$4,470 (up from $3,722/$4,655/$4,280)
- For Each additional member: $394/$492/$453 (up from $379/$474/$435)
Increased Maximum Asset Limits
The SNAP maximum acceptable asset limits also increased for this year. The maximum limit is as follows:
- Households with at least one member who is 60 years or older or has a disability will receive $4,250 from $3,750 which is the amount last year
- All other households can receive up to $2,750 from $2,500 the prior year
SNAP recipients should take note of these 2023 SNAP changes as it helps them afford basic nutrition.
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