There’s good news for SNAP EBT Cardholders! On Thursday, August 3rd, the USDA approved their annual cost-of-living increase for food stamp benefits. The food stamps increase for 2024 will impact all households currently enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This change will go into effect on Sunday, October 1, 2023.
To learn more about the Food Stamps increase for fiscal year 2024 and the other changes coming to SNAP, including income limit and resource changes, continue reading below.
Alert: Find out about the Extra Food Stamps for 2024
Food Stamps Increase for 2024
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) adjusts the SNAP maximum allotments, standard deduction and income eligibility at the beginning of each fiscal year.
The fiscal year begins on October 1st each year. The changes are based on the standard cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
As a result of the increase to the SNAP maximum allotment benefits, every food stamp recipient will see an increase in their monthly food stamp and EBT Card benefits.
This includes the 48 states, District of Columbia, Alaska, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
This increase will not impact SNAP recipients in Hawaii. Unfortunately, households currently receiving food stamp benefits in Hawaii will see a decrease in their SNAP benefit amount.
However, the minimum benefit amounts for the 48 states and D.C. will remain the same at $23.
Use the chart below to find out the food stamps increase for 2024 compared to 2023.
2023 vs. 2024 Maximum Monthly SNAP Benefit Amount
| Maximum SNAP Benefit Increase by Household Size for 2023-2024 (48 States & D.C.) | |||
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit for 2022-2023 | Maximum SNAP Benefit for 2023-2024 |
Total SNAP Benefit Increase for 2023-2024
|
| 1 | $281 | $291 | $10 |
| 2 | $516 | $535 | $19 |
| 3 | $740 | $766 | $26 |
| 4 | $939 | $973 | $34 |
| 5 | $1,116 | $1,155 | $39 |
| 6 | $1,339 | $1,386 | $47 |
| 7 | $1,480 | $1,532 | $52 |
| 8 | $1,691 | $1,751 | $60 |
| 9 | $1,902 | $1,970 | $68 |
| 10 | $2,113 | $2,189 | $76 |
| For Each Additional Household Member Add: | $211 | $219 | $8 |
As you can see from the chart above, there is not a significant increase in maximum SNAP benefits from 2023 to 2024.
For a household of 4, the maximum increase in monthly food stamp benefits is $34.
To learn more about the SNAP Maximum Allotment benefits for 2024, continue reading below.
Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount for 2024
If you are approved for food stamps, how much in benefits you get partly depends on the:
- Number of people in your household
- Total amount of your household’s income
The table below shows the maximum food stamp benefits for households with zero income.
The minimum SNAP benefit you can receive in 2024 ranges from $23 to $46.
As your income increases, your monthly SNAP benefit amount goes down.
Use the chart below to the get the SNAP Maximum Allotment benefits by household size for fiscal year 2024.
This chart includes all 48 states, the District of Columbia, Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam.
| Monthly Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for Fiscal Year 2024 | |||||||
| Effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 | |||||||
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly SNAP Benefit Allotment | ||||||
| 48 States & D.C. | Hawaii | Alaska | Virgin Islands | Guam | |||
| Urban | Rural 1 | Rural 2 | |||||
| 1 | $291 | $527 | $374 | $477 | $581 | $375 | $430 |
| 2 | $535 | $967 | $686 | $875 | $1,065 | $688 | $788 |
| 3 | $766 | $1,385 | $983 | $1,253 | $1,525 | $985 | $1,129 |
| 4 | $973 | $1,759 | $1,248 | $1,591 | $1,937 | $1,251 | $1,434 |
| 5 | $1,155 | $2,088 | $1,482 | $1,890 | $2,300 | $1,485 | $1,703 |
| 6 | $1,386 | $2,506 | $1,778 | $2,268 | $2,760 | $1,782 | $2,044 |
| 7 | $1,532 | $2,770 | $1,966 | $2,506 | $3,051 | $1,970 | $2,259 |
| 8 | $1,751 | $3,166 | $2,246 | $2,865 | $3,487 | $2,252 | $2,581 |
| Each Additional Household Member Add: | $219 | $396 | $281 | $358 | $436 | $282 | $323 |
For reference, we have also included the SNAP Minimum Benefit Amounts for fiscal year 2024 below.
| Minimum SNAP Benefit Amount for Fiscal Year 2024 | |||||||
| Effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 | |||||||
|
Household Size
|
48 States & D.C.
|
Guam
|
Virgin Islands
|
Alaska |
Hawaii
|
||
| Urban | Rural 1 | Rural 2 | |||||
| 1-2 | $23 | $34 | $30 | $30 | $38 | $46 | $42 |
Please note, the Minimum and Maximum Allotment does not mean you will receive in this amount in monthly SNAP benefits.
The amount of food stamps you will receive each month varies based on your household income, assets, resources, and more.
To find out exactly how much your household can expect to receive in monthly SNAP EBT benefits, use our Food Stamp Calculator.
Changes to Food Stamps for 2024
Along with the increase in the SNAP Maximum Allotment benefits, there have been several other changes to the Food Stamp Program as a result of the annual cost-of-living adjustment.
These changes include an increase in the standard deduction and income eligibility limits to qualify for food stamp benefits.
The changes to SNAP will go into effect on Sunday, October 1st, 2023.
To learn more about the other changes coming to SNAP Food Stamps for fiscal year 2024, continue reading below.
Updated SNAP Income Limits for Fiscal Year 2024
The biggest factor when determining if you are eligible for food stamp benefits is your household income.
Each year, the USDA is responsible for setting the Income Eligibility Standards for SNAP.
These standards are then used to perform an income test on all households that apply for food stamp benefits.
The income test is required for all households unless your household is already receiving cash assistance benefits or SSI/SSP from the federal government or your state.
Most households must have a total gross monthly income less than or equal to 130% of the federal poverty level (FPL), to be potentially eligible for benefits.
If your household has a person who is 60 or older or disabled, only the net income limit must be met.
The Food Stamp Income Limit for 2024 is based on your household’s total income and size.
To see if your household’s income meets the fiscal year 2024 SNAP Eligibility Requirements, use the chart below:
| SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2024 (48 States, DC, Guam & Virgin Islands) | |||
| Effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 | |||
| Household Size | Monthly Net Income (100% of FPL) |
Monthly Gross Income (130% of FPL) |
Monthly Gross Income for Elderly/Disabled Households (165% of FPL) |
| 1 | $1,215 | $1,580 | $2,005 |
| 2 | $1,644 | $2,137 | $2,712 |
| 3 | $2,072 | $2,694 | $3,419 |
| 4 | $2,500 | $3,250 | $4,125 |
| 5 | $2,929 | $3,807 | $4,832 |
| 6 | $3,357 | $4,364 | $5,539 |
| 7 | $3,785 | $4,921 | $6,246 |
| 8 | $4,214 | $5,478 | $6,951 |
| Each Additional Household Member: | $429 | $557 | $707 |
New Allowable Deductions for 2024
To calculate your net monthly income, you must deduct approved household expenses.
Here are the expenses that can be deducted from your household’s gross income:
- 20% deduction from Earned Income
- Standard deduction depending on household size (see 2024 SNAP Standard Deductions below)
- Dependent care deduction when needed for work, training, or education
- A deduction for elderly or disabled member’s medical expenses that exceed $35 a month (if not paid by insurance or someone else)
- Any legally owed child support payments can be deducted
- Homeless Household’s shelter costs deduction of $179.66.
- A deduction for excess shelter costs that exceed more than half of the household’s income (after the other deductions listed above & cannot exceed $672 unless a household member is elderly or disabled).
See the new SNAP Standard Deduction for your household in fiscal year 2024 below:
| SNAP Standard Deductions for Fiscal Year 2024 (48 States & D.C.) | |
| Effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 | |
| Household Size | Standard Deduction |
| 1-2 | $198 |
| 3 | $198 |
| 4 | $208 |
| 5 | $244 |
| 6+ | $279 |
Food Stamps Resources Limit in 2024
According to the USDA, the resources limit for households applying for food stamps will remain the same at $2,750 for the 48 states and the District of Columbia, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Additionally, the resource limit for households where at least one person is age 60 or older, or is disabled, will remain the same at $4,250.
Also, if your household is required to report changes in income to continue receiving SNAP, you are required to report changes in income above $125 a month.
Food Stamps Increase for 2024 Summary
We hope this article on the Food Stamps increase for fiscal year 2024 was helpful to you.
Again, these changes to the Food Stamps Program will go into effect on Sunday, October 1, 2023.
If you have any additional questions, please let us know in the comments section below.
In the meantime, be sure to check out our other articles on the Food Stamps and SNAP EBT benefits:
- Food Stamps EBT Schedule for December 2023
- 46 States approved for 2023 Summer P-EBT Benefits
- 1 Million Individuals Could Lose SNAP Benefits
- EBT Card Discounts by State
- How to get $10 Internet with Food Stamps