Exciting news for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) users: starting this month, you’ll notice a slight increase in your benefits due to the latest cost-of-living adjustments.
Alongside this adjustment, there’s a shift in the age definition for an “able-bodied adult without dependents,” moving from 52 to 54 years old. This change marks the final adjustment from the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which played a key role in suspending the debt ceiling until 2025 and led to the removal of former Republican Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy.
SNAP and the new ABAWD time limit age rise
The act specifies that those identified as “able-bodied adults without dependents” must meet certain criteria to maintain their benefits. They need to be either:
- Working at least 80 hours a month
- Enrolled in an education or training program
These requirements are set to remain in effect until 2030.
For most households, this means a small increase of a few dollars per month in their SNAP benefits. However, recipients in Alaska, the Virgin Islands, and Guam will see higher adjustments due to elevated food costs in these regions. Hawaii recipients will get a reduction after COLA but payments are higher than in the 48 contiguous States.
