The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, is a critical lifeline for millions of low-income Americans. Each year, SNAP benefits are adjusted based on the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to ensure recipients can keep up with inflation.
The COLA aims to adjust benefits to match the rising costs of everyday essentials, such as food, housing, and utilities. Unlike Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, who will see adjustments around January 2025 or December 31, 2024, SNAP recipients will be among the first to benefit from the updated rates.
The Expected COLA Increase for 2025
Experts predict a COLA increase of approximately 2.63% in 2025. This adjustment is crucial as it directly impacts the amount of aid SNAP recipients receive. Starting October 1, 2024, these new benefit amounts will take effect, providing increased financial support to help families manage the rising living costs.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) typically announces the new COLA amounts in early August. In 2023, the announcement was made on August 3 for the Fiscal Year 2024. If this schedule is followed, we can expect to hear about the final SNAP benefit amounts for 2025 soon. This timely information allows beneficiaries to plan and budget accordingly.
Current and Projected SNAP Benefit Amounts
Here’s a comparison of the current maximum SNAP benefits versus the projected amounts after the 2025 COLA increase:
| Household Size | Current Maximum Amount | Projected Increase (2.63%) | New Maximum Amount |
| 1 person | $291 | $7.65 | $298 |
| 2 people | $535 | $14.07 | $549 |
| 3 people | $766 | $20.12 | $786 |
| 4 people | $973 | $25.59 | $998 |
| 5 people | $1,155 | $30.38 | $1,185 |
| 6 people | $1,386 | $36.42 | $1,422 |
| 7 people | $1,609 | $42.31 | $1,651 |
| 8 people | $1,751 | $46.07 | $1,797 |
These projections reflect a modest yet significant increase that can help low-income households better cope with inflation.
The COLA adjustment ensures that SNAP benefits keep pace with inflation. For many low-income families, even small increases in benefits can significantly improve their ability to afford nutritious food and cover other basic needs. As prices rise, these adjustments are necessary for families to maintain their purchasing power.
