In 2025, the SNAP remains a vital resource in the United States, ensuring that low-income individuals and families have access to healthy food. Amid rising inflation and high living costs, the government has adjusted SNAP benefits to reflect these economic pressures. This adjustment, known as the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), plays a critical role for the more than 40 million Americans who rely on SNAP to make ends meet.
The SNAP program in Texas enables beneficiaries to purchase a wide variety of essential foods, including fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products, and grains, directly supporting the nutritional needs of economically struggling families. Additionally, a unique aspect of the program is that it allows the purchase of seeds and plants for home food production, encouraging food self-sufficiency.
The increase in SNAP benefits in Texas in 2025
However, there are specific restrictions on what can be bought with SNAP benefits. Non-food items such as hygiene products, pet food, household supplies, and prepared or hot meals are not eligible for purchase. The main goal of this assistance is to reduce hunger and ensure that low-income families have access to nutritious food.
The SNAP benefit increase for 2025 is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), a measure of inflation in the United States. This index, used by the Social Security Administration (SSA), determines the annual percentage increase in benefits based on the previous year’s economic conditions. For 2025, the COLA adjustment is expected to result in an increase of 2.5% to 3% in SNAP benefits.
For instance, if a household in Texas received $10,000 in SNAP benefits in 2024, they could see an increase of between $250 and $300 in 2025. This boost would help them continue to meet their food needs in the face of rising prices.
How the COLA is calculated for SNAP benefits
The COLA adjustment is based on inflation data from the third quarter of the previous year, which means that the SNAP benefit increase for 2025 will be calculated using economic data from 2024. The final adjustment percentage is announced in October after analyzing all necessary data. Once announced, the increase automatically takes effect on October 1, 2025, reflecting the federal government’s commitment to keeping benefits aligned with the cost of living.
Impact of the COLA adjustment on households
Households receiving SNAP benefits will feel the direct impact of the COLA adjustment. As food prices rise due to inflation, even a small increase in benefits can provide significant relief for many families. By adjusting benefits to match cost-of-living increases, the government helps reduce the financial burden on households, allowing them better access to nutritious food.
While the increase for 2025 may not be substantial, it should not be underestimated, as it can make a difference in a family’s ability to maintain a balanced diet and, ultimately, their overall health. For many, this increase could mean better access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and proteins that were previously difficult to include in their daily meals.