Maximize Your Food Stamp Benefits: Florida SNAP Payments Increase to $1,756 After COLA
The Social Security Administration has confirmed that the 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) increase for retirees will be sent in 2025. However, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients are already benefiting from the 2025 COLA, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began distributing checks with the new boost in October 2024.
Immediate Benefits for SNAP Recipients
This means that SNAP recipients do not have to wait until next year to receive some extra funds. Unfortunately, the COLA increase for SNAP benefits is significantly lower than the Social Security Administration’s 2.5% increase, with the SNAP COLA amounting to only about 0.34%.
October 2024 SNAP Payments in Florida
Each state manages Food Stamp applications and payment schedules independently. In Florida, SNAP benefits will be distributed through October 28, while other states have already issued all monthly payments. Some states, like Alaska and Vermont, send all benefits in one payday.
In Florida, the distribution schedule is determined by the SNAP recipient’s case number. The state uses the 9th and 8th digits of the case number, reading them backward and dropping the 10th digit to determine payment dates.
Florida SNAP Payment Schedule by Case Number
- Case number 9th and 8th digit: 46 to 48 = Benefits available on October 14
- Case number 9th and 8th digit: 49 to 53 = Benefits available on October 15
- Case number 9th and 8th digit: 54 to 57 = Benefits available on October 16
- Case number 9th and 8th digit: 58 to 60 = Benefits available on October 17
- Case number 9th and 8th digit: 61 to 64 = Benefits available on October 18
- Case number 9th and 8th digit: 65 to 67 = Benefits available on October 19
- Case number 9th and 8th digit: 68 to 71 = Benefits available on October 20
- Case number 9th and 8th digit: 72 to 74 = Benefits available on October 21
- Case number 9th and 8th digit: 75 to 78 = Benefits available on October 22
- Case number 9th and 8th digit: 79 to 81 = Benefits available on October 23
- Case number 9th and 8th digit: 82 to 85 = Benefits available on October 24
- Case number 9th and 8th digit: 86 to 88 = Benefits available on October 25
- Case number 9th and 8th digit: 89 to 92 = Benefits available on October 26
- Case number 9th and 8th digit: 93 to 95 = Benefits available on October 27
- Case number 9th and 8th digit: 96 to 99 = Benefits available on October 28
Maximum SNAP Amounts in Florida After COLA
After the 2025 COLA increase, the maximum SNAP benefits in Florida will be as follows:
- Individual: $292
- Couple (Household of 2): $536
- Household of 3: $768
- Household of 4: $975
- Household of 5: $1,158
- Household of 6: $1,390
- Household of 7: $1,536
- Household of 8: $1,756
For each additional household member beyond eight, an extra amount of up to $220 can be added to the benefits.
In summary, while SNAP recipients are already receiving their adjusted benefits, Social Security beneficiaries will have to wait until 2025 to see the new COLA reflected in their payments.
