Those who have not joined the Food Stamps program can still apply in 2023. SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Its main aim is to allow Americans in a difficult financial situation to buy healthy food.
Even if you just need it for a few months and you qualify you should apply for it. What is more, this is a Federal program and it is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Apart from the States, you can get SNAP benefits in Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Not all beneficiaries receive the same amount of money. Besides, some States pay more than others because their inflation is not the same as the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. For example, if you live in Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands Alaska, and Hawaii you will have larger SNAP payments.
HOW MUCH ARE SNAP BENEFITS AFTER THE 2024 COLA INCREASE?
The maximum amount of the Food Stamps will depend on the size of your family. For example, you could receive up to $291 from SNAP if you are a single person and you do not live with anyone else and have no children.
The former SNAP amount was $281, so you will receive $100 extra in 2024. It may not seem much but you can buy many things with 100 dollars and some bigger families can get up to $1,751 if they are 8, up from $1,691.
A family of 8 could get after the 2024 COLA up to 60 dollars extra per month. As long as they qualify for the largest SNAP payment, they will get 60 dollars more each month. This will be $720 in 12 months, which sounds like a massive boost for SNAP checks.
Anyway, all payments will receive a 3.2% COLA increase. This Cost of Living Adjustment is lower than the one in 2023, but it will be higher than the average COLA boost.
HOW MUCH CAN A FAMILY OF 4 GET AFTER THE 2024 COLA BOOST?
If you are a family and you are just 4 members, you could get up to $973 from SNAP, up from $939. This will mean getting $408 extra per year if you get $973 every month.
It is true that few families qualify for the largest SNAP payments, but some actually do because they have no money, earnings, or resources. Even if you do not qualify for the full amount average payments are not bad either.
A four-member family can get an average payment worth $713 in 2024. People in Hawaii can get up to $1,759 if they are 4 or $3,166 if they are 8. Alaskans can get up to $1,937 if they are 4 or up to $3,487 if they are 8.
The maximum amounts for 4 are $1,251 in the U.S. Virgin Islands and $1,434 in Guam. As you can see, SNAP beneficiaries will get more money if they qualify for the largest payments.