Millions of low-income individuals and families in the United States rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to bring nutritious food and fresh groceries to their pantries. This federal initiative is designed to help those in need to avoid falling in food insecurity.
Eligibility for SNAP benefits, a program formerly known as food stamps, is based on factors such as income, household size, and expenses. Applicants must meet specific income guidelines, which can vary from state to state. Once eligible, participants receive an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, similar to a debit card. This card can be used to purchase eligible food items at authorized retailers, including grocery stores and supermarkets.
A Sneak Peek into the October SNAP Benefit Boost
In order to mitigate the effects of inflation on the recipients of the SNAP benefits, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) takes a proactive approach by making annual adjustments to SNAP’s monthly benefits.
This adjustment process is closely tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) trends reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rationale behind this practice is rooted in the understanding that the rising costs of goods and services can significantly impact individuals and families, making it increasingly challenging for them to afford essential, nutritious foods that are crucial for their overall health and well-being.
For instance, a single-member household can expect their maximum monthly benefit to rise from $281 to $291, providing a modest yet meaningful boost to their food budget. Similarly, a household consisting of three individuals will experience an increase in their monthly benefit from $740 to $766, offering much-needed relief in the face of rising living costs.
According to your household’s size, these are the new amounts SNAP benefits will deliver from October 2023 (compared to previous years’ allotments):
| Household Size | Oct. 1, 2021 | Oct. 1, 2022 | Oct. 1, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $250 | $281 | $291 |
| 2 | $459 | $516 | $535 |
| 3 | $658 | $740 | $766 |
| 4 | $835 | $939 | $973 |
| 5 | $992 | $1,116 | $1,155 |
| 6 | $1,190 | $1,339 | $1,386 |
| 7 | $1,316 | $1,480 | $1,532 |
| 8 | $1,504 | $1,691 | $1,751 |
| Each additional person | +$188 | +$211 | +$219 |
October 2023: When to Expect Your SNAP Payment
With SNAP’s centralized conception but decentralized execution, each state in the US has its rhythm for distributing these benefits. Here’s a snapshot of the expected payment schedule for October 2023:
- The early birds: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, North Dakota, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming disburse their payments between October 1st and 10th.
- Mid-month: Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Utah to deliver the EBT deposits between October 11th and 20th.
- Later-month payments: Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Dakota, Washington will send payments from October 21th to 28th.