October SNAP Benefits Increase: Eligible Households to Receive $292 in Food Stamps
According to Vibes.okdiario, Eligible individuals will receive additional funds from the USDA between October 1 and October 28, 2024. This payment window applies to recipients across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, including Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Maximum SNAP Benefit Amounts
If you qualify for the maximum SNAP benefits, a single-person household will receive $292 this month. Thanks to the recent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), this amount reflects a slight increase of one extra dollar compared to previous months. While this increase may seem minimal, it is a welcome change, especially in light of the recent reduction in benefits for Hawaii.
October SNAP Payment Schedule
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has outlined the payment schedule for October. Below are the specific dates for SNAP payments in various states:
- Alabama: October 4 to 23
- Alaska: October 1
- Arizona: October 1 to 13
- Arkansas: October 4 to 13
- California: October 1 to 10
- Colorado: October 1 to 10
- Connecticut: October 1 to 3
- Delaware: October 2 to 23
- Florida: October 1 to 28
- Georgia: October 5 to 23
- Hawaii: October 3 to 5
- Idaho: October 1 to 10
- Illinois: October 1 to 10
- Indiana: October 5 to 23
- Iowa: October 1 to 10
- Kansas: October 1 to 10
- Kentucky: October 1 to 19
- Louisiana: October 1 to 23
- Maine: October 10 to 14
- Maryland: October 4 to 23
- Massachusetts: October 1 to 14
- Michigan: October 3 to 21
- Minnesota: October 4 to 13
- Mississippi: October 4 to 21
- Missouri: October 1 to 22
- Montana: October 2 to 6
- Nebraska: October 1 to 5
- Nevada: October 1 to 10
- New Hampshire: October 5
- New Jersey: October 1 to 5
- New Mexico: October 1 to 20
- New York: October 1 to 9
- North Carolina: October 3 to 21
- North Dakota: October 1
- Ohio: October 2 to 20
- Oklahoma: October 1 to 10
- Oregon: October 1 to 9
- Pennsylvania: Over the first ten business days
- Rhode Island: October 1
- South Carolina: October 1 to 10
- South Dakota: October 10
- Tennessee: October 1 to 20
- Texas: October 1 to 28
- Utah: October 5, 11, and 15
- Vermont: October 1
- Virginia: October 1 to 7
- Washington: October 1 to 20
- West Virginia: October 1 to 9
- Wisconsin: October 1 to 15
- Wyoming: October 1 to 4
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Other Territories and D.C.
- Guam: October 1 to 10
- Puerto Rico: October 4 to 22
- District of Columbia: October 1 to 10
- U.S. Virgin Islands: October 1
ABAWD Regulations and 2025 COLA Amounts
It’s important to note that eligibility for SNAP benefits goes beyond the amount received. Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs), aged 18 to 54, must work a minimum of 80 hours per month to continue receiving benefits for more than 3 months in a 3-year period. Failure to meet these work requirements could result in losing SNAP benefits.
Understanding ABAWD
ABAWD refers to individuals who do not have dependents and are required to comply with work regulations unless exempted. This is particularly critical for those aged 53 and 54, as the rules apply starting in October.
Will SNAP Benefits Increase in 2024?
SNAP benefits will see a slight increase in 2024, reflecting the COLA adjustments effective October 1, 2024. Here are the updated maximum benefit amounts:
- 1-person household: $292 (up from $291)
- 2-person household: $536 (up from $535)
- 3-person household: $768 (up from $766)
- 4-person household: $975 (up from $973)
- 5-person household: $1,158 (up from $1,155)
- 6-person household: $1,390 (up from $1,386)
- 7-person household: $1,536 (up from $1,532)
- 8-person household: $1,756 (up from $1,751)
- Each additional person: $220 (up from $219)
Geographic Adjustments
It’s important to note that maximum benefit amounts are higher in Alaska, Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, and Guam due to elevated food prices in these areas.
Additionally, beginning October 1, 2024, ABAWDs aged 52 to 54 will be required to demonstrate that they are working, training, or attending school to qualify for SNAP benefits beyond three months. This expands existing work requirements for younger ABAWDs aged 18 to 52. Exemptions exist for certain groups, including the homeless, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and those with children under 18.
