On October 1st, food stamp households can expect an increase in their monthly SNAP benefits. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will automatically increase to reflect changes in the cost of living due to inflation. The SNAP benefits increase for October 2022 will help low income households better meet their food needs.
For several months, food stamps recipients have been experiencing increased financial strain due to the rapid rise in food and grocery prices. The rising cost of groceries is a direct result of inflation.
Impact of Inflation on Low Income Households
Inflation has had a significant impact on low income families that rely on monthly food assistance to get by. In fact, the average cost of groceries has risen 12.2 percent in the last 12 months. That’s the largest 12-month increase in over 43 years (April 1979).
In addition, a survey conducted by the Urban Institute has found that food insecurity has risen back to peak-pandemic levels. With that said, about one in five adults have reported experiencing food insecurity in the last 30 days.
As a result, food banks are beginning to feel the strain on resources again. According to food insecurity expert at the Urban Institute, Elaine Waxman, the end of enhanced unemployment, stimulus checks, monthly child tax credit payments and extra food stamps, combined with inflation means that problems are starting to appear again. However, this time around, donations are down just as the need is rising.
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SNAP Benefits Increase for October 2022
The Food Stamps Maximum Allotment Benefits are directly tied to food inflation. That means that this year’s annual SNAP benefits increase for October 2022 will be significantly higher than past years. This is an effort to account for inflation and the rising cost of food.
The 2022 food stamps increase will rise by 12.5% beginning on October 1, 2022.
SNAP recipients can expect to see this reflected on their October 2022 food stamp benefits.
How much of a food stamps increase can households expect?
With the new increase going into effect on October 1, 2022, households can expect an average of 12.5% increase in their benefits.
A family of 4 receiving the maximum SNAP benefit amount can expect to receive a $104 increase in their food stamps after the October 2022 increase.
Maximum SNAP Benefits Increase for 2022-2023
For a family of four receiving a maximum allotment in the 48 states and D.C., SNAP benefits will be $939.
Maximum allotment SNAP benefits for a family of four will increase to a range of $1,172 to $1,819 in Alaska, to $1,794 in Hawaii, to $1,385 in Guam, and to $1,208 in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Below is the new maximum food stamp allotments by household size for all 48 states and D.C, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Virgin Islands.
The new maximum SNAP benefit amounts will go into effect on Saturday, October 1st.
| Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for Fiscal Year 2023 | |||||||
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |||||||
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment | ||||||
| 48 States & D.C. | Hawaii | Alaska | Virgin Islands | Guam | |||
| Urban | Rural 1 | Rural 2 | |||||
| 1 | $281 | $538 | $351 | $448 | $545 | $362 | $415 |
| 2 | $516 | $987 | $644 | $822 | $1,000 | $664 | $761 |
| 3 | $740 | $1,413 | $923 | $1,177 | $1,432 | $951 | $1,090 |
| 4 | $939 | $1,794 | $1,172 | $1,494 | $1,819 | $1,208 | $1,385 |
| 5 | $1,116 | $2,131 | $1,391 | $1,774 | $2,160 | $1,434 | $1,644 |
| 6 | $1,339 | $2,557 | $1,670 | $2,129 | $2,592 | $1,721 | $1,973 |
| 7 | $1,480 | $2,826 | $1,846 | $2,354 | $2,865 | $1,903 | $2,181 |
| 8 | $1,691 | $3,230 | $2,109 | $2,690 | $3,274 | $2,174 | $2,493 |
| Each Additional Household Member: | +$211 | +$404 | +$264 | +$336 | +$409 | +$272 | +$312 |
Additional SNAP Changes in October 2022
In addition to the October 2022 SNAP maximum benefit increase, the USDA also announced their annual increases to reflect inflation for food stamps income limits, standard deduction, excess shelter deduction, homeless shelter deduction, minimum benefit amount, and asset limits.
We have provided all the new food stamps increases for 2022-2023 below. These will go into affect on Saturday, October 1, 2022.
SNAP Minimum Benefit Amount Increase for 2022-2023
The minimum benefit for the 48 States and D.C. will increase to $23 and will also increase in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
| Minimum SNAP Benefit Amount for Fiscal Year 2023 | |||||||
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |||||||
|
Household Size
|
48 States & D.C.
|
Guam
|
Virgin Islands
|
Alaska |
Hawaii
|
||
| Urban | Rural 1 | Rural 2 | |||||
| 1-2 | $23 | $33 | $29 | $28 | $36 | $44 | $43 |
SNAP Eligibility Guidelines Increase for 2022-2023
The food stamps income limit for 2022-2023 will increase for both gross and net income. Please refer to the charts provided below.
SNAP Gross Income Limit for 2022-2023
Use the chart provided below:
| SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2023 | |||
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |||
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income (130% of Federal Poverty Level) | ||
| 48 States, DC, Guam & Virgin Islands | Alaska | Hawaii | |
| 1 | $1,473 | $1,841 | $1,694 |
| 2 | $1,984 | $2,480 | $2,282 |
| 3 | $2,495 | $3,119 | $2,870 |
| 4 | $3,007 | $3,759 | $3,458 |
| 5 | $3,518 | $4,398 | $4,047 |
| 6 | $4,029 | $5,037 | $4,635 |
| 7 | $4,541 | $5,676 | $5,223 |
| 8 | $5,052 | $6,315 | $5,811 |
| Each Additional Household Member: | +$512 | +$640 | +$589 |
SNAP Net Income Limit for 2022-2023
Use the chart provided below:
| SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2023 | |||
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |||
| Household Size | Net Monthly Income (100% of Federal Poverty Level) | ||
| 48 States, DC, Guam & Virgin Islands | Alaska | Hawaii | |
| 1 | $1133 | $1,416 | $1,303 |
| 2 | $1,526 | $1,908 | $1,755 |
| 3 | $1,920 | $2,400 | $2,208 |
| 4 | $2,313 | $2,891 | $2,660 |
| 5 | $2,706 | $3,383 | $3,113 |
| 6 | $3,100 | $3,875 | $3,565 |
| 7 | $3,493 | $4,366 | $4,018 |
| 8 | $3,886 | $4,858 | $4,470 |
| Each Additional Household Member: | +$394 | +$492 | +$453 |
SNAP Standard Deduction Increase for 2022-2023
The minimum standard deduction for household sizes 1 through 4 increased to $193 a month for the 48 States and D.C. Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands also experienced increases in their standard deduction amounts.
| SNAP Standard Deductions for Fiscal Year 2023 (48 States & D.C.) | |
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |
| Household Size | Standard Deduction |
| 1-2 | $193 |
| 3 | $193 |
| 4 | $193 |
| 5 | $225 |
| 6+ | $258 |
SNAP Shelter Deduction Increase for 2022-2023
The maximum shelter value increased by $27 to $624 for the 48 States and D.C. The shelter deduction for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands also increased.
| SNAP Maximum Shelter Deduction for Fiscal Year 2023 | |
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |
| Area | Maximum Amount |
| 48 States & District of Columbia | $624 |
| Alaska | $996 |
| Hawaii | $840 |
| Guam | $732 |
| Virgin Islands | $492 |
SNAP Homeless Shelter Deduction for 2022-2023
The maximum homeless shelter deduction increased slightly to $166.81 for the 48 States, D.C., Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgins Islands.
| SNAP Maximum Homeless Shelter Deduction for Fiscal Year 2023 | |
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |
| Area | Maximum Amount |
| 48 States & District of Columbia | $166.81 |
| Alaska | $166.81 |
| Hawaii | $166.81 |
| Guam | $166.81 |
| Virgin Islands | $166.81 |
SNAP Resource Limit Increase for 2022-2023
The resource limit for households will increase by $250 to $2,750 for the 48 States and the District of Columbia, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The resource limit for households where at least one person is age 60 or older, or is disabled, will increase by $500 to $4,250.
Effect of Inflation on SNAP Benefits
The rapid rise in food prices due to inflation has eroded the purchasing power of food stamp recipients across the county. This has created a severe financial burden for those receiving SNAP benefits.
That’s because when inflation erodes the value of food stamp benefits, households are forced to either spend more of their cash on food or cut back on their food or other expenses.
When these households are already surviving off the bare minimum, it creates a damaging circumstance.
While the temporary Emergency Allotment SNAP benefits first authorized in March 2020 have provided some relief with extra food stamp benefits each month, many states no longer provide them.
The SNAP benefits increase for October 2022 will help mitigate the rising cost of groceries due to inflation and help to reduce the risk of food insecurity among low income households. However, will the increases be enough to regain SNAP purchasing power? Only time will tell.
Extra Food Stamp Benefits for October 2022
Are you trying to find out if you will be receiving extra SNAP food stamps for October? The extra food stamp benefits for October 2022 are part of the USDA’s Emergency Allotment (EA) Program.
This means that recipients receiving food stamp benefits in approved states will receive extra food stamps for the month. SNAP EBT cardholders will receive the maximum benefit amount for their household size.
To learn more and find out if you will be receiving extra food stamps, read our article on the Extra SNAP Benefits for October 2022.
SNAP Benefits Increase Summary
We hope this article on the Food Stamps and SNAP benefits increase for October 2022 was helpful to you. If you have additional questions about the annual increase to food stamp benefits going into effect on October 1st, please let us know in the comments section below.
In the meantime, be sure to check out our other articles on the SNAP/Food Stamps Program:
Extra SNAP Benefits for October 2022
Extra Food Stamp Benefits for September 2022
EBT Discounts by State for 2022
Discounted Internet for EBT Cardholders