The beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are now receiving a maximum of $291 in assistance, compared to the $281 that was given in 2023 in a single-person household. This is due to the 3.5% increase in Fiscal Year 2024 and implemented in October 2023.
The United States Department of Agriculture, in charge of supervising this program has, however, warned that the maximum benefit is only for households with no net income.
What is SNAP?
SNAP is a federal program that provides money for food to low-income individuals and families on a monthly basis. This program formerly known as the Food Stamp Program is supervised by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and duly administered by states and local agencies.
Before the most recent increase, the average benefit received by a single person was $195 per month with a maximum of $281. Meanwhile, a family of four gets $684, with a maximum of $939. This was according to the Center of Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP).
Who receives SNAP Benefits?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits the older demographic and low-income households. According to the USDA, households with income at or below the federal poverty line get about 92% of the benefits while households with an elderly person, a child, or persons with disabilities get 86%.
Eligibility requirements for SNAP
The major eligibility criteria for SNAP are resource requirements (the amount of money you have in your bank or other countable source), work requirements, and income requirements.
To be eligible for SNAP, in general your household has to have a maximum of $2,750 in assets, where there is a member aged 60 or over, or who has a disability, that amount is $4,250. Note that assets are considered resources that could be used to purchase food, so the home, personal property and retirement savings are not included. Usually automobiles also do not count.
In terms of income, your net income (what you take home) must be at or below the poverty line, and gross monthly income (the amount received before taxes are taken out) must be at or below 130 percent of the poverty line.
Here are the maximum amounts households can earn to be eligible for in the 2024 fiscal year:
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income | Net Monthly Income |
| 1 | $1,580 | $1,215 |
| 2 | $2,137 | $1,644 |
| 3 | $2,694 | $2,070 |
| 4 | $3,250 | $2500 |
| 5 | $3,807 | $2,929 |
The age threshold for work is the biggest change in SNAP eligibility for 2024. If you are able-bodied with no dependents but are not working or volunteering at least 80 hours a month, you are eligible for only three months of SNAP benefits in three years. This is following the standard work requirement and the Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirement. This applies to people between the ages of 18 and 50.
How much SNAP Benefits to expect?
For the 2024 fiscal year, here are the maximum benefits in most states:
| Household size | Maximum Benefit |
| 1 | $291 |
| 2 | $535 |
| 3 | $766 |
| 4 | $973 |
| 5 | $1,155 |
| 6 | $1386 |
Required documents for SNAP application
The USDA has made available this link, which includes links to SNAP website and online registration for different states.
The documents required during the face-to-face interview for SNAP includes:
- Proof of your identity. This can be any federal government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license.
- Proof of residence and citizenship. For non-citizens, there should be proof of documented permission to live in the US.
- Proof of disabilities (for the household with a disabled person)
- Proof of school attendance
- Household expenses information
- Household members’ information such as name, age, etc.
- Monthly income before taxes or deductions proof
- Medical and child care expense proof
- Social security numbers of all members of a household.
For more information about registration and eligibility, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture website. Also, ensure you are acquainted with SNAP registration procedures for your state if you’re applying for SNAP benefits.
