What You Need to Know: Will Food Stamps Go Up in 2024?

Many families rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), often called food stamps, to help put food on the table. With the new year here, a common question on people’s minds is: will food stamps go up in 2024? It’s a really important question because even small changes can make a big difference for household budgets. Let’s break down what’s happening with SNAP benefits this year and what you can expect.

Understanding SNAP Benefit Changes

When we talk about whether food stamps will go up in 2024, it’s important to understand how these benefits are usually calculated. Every year, around October 1st, the government checks how much things cost, especially food, and adjusts the benefits for the new federal fiscal year. For the current federal fiscal year (which started October 1, 2023, and runs through September 30, 2024), SNAP maximum benefits generally saw an increase compared to the previous year. This adjustment is based on the Thrifty Food Plan, which measures the cost of a healthy, low-cost diet for a family.

How Food Stamp Amounts Are Decided Each Year

The amount of food stamps people get is reviewed and adjusted annually. This adjustment is often called a Cost of Living Adjustment, or COLA. It’s a way for the government to try and keep up with how much things cost to live, like food prices.

These changes usually go into effect on October 1st each year. So, the benefit amounts you’re seeing now for 2024 actually reflect the adjustments made in October 2023 for the federal government’s fiscal year. This means that for most of 2024, the benefit levels are already set based on those adjustments.

What influences these adjustments? A few key things:

• How much food prices have changed.
• Changes in the cost of living in general.
• Rules set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the Thrifty Food Plan.

For example, if the cost of a basic food basket goes up, the government aims to increase benefits so families can still afford to buy enough groceries. These increases are designed to help make sure your food stamps can still buy a similar amount of food as before.

What is the Thrifty Food Plan and Why Does It Matter?

The Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) might sound like a fancy name, but it’s really important for food stamps. It’s basically a model created by the USDA that shows how much it costs to buy healthy groceries for a family of different sizes, on a tight budget. It includes things like fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy.

The government uses the TFP to figure out the maximum amount of food stamps a family can get. When the USDA looks at the TFP each year, they calculate the cost of that healthy, low-cost diet. This calculation directly affects how much the maximum SNAP benefits will be for the year. Here’s how it generally works:

1. The USDA researches current food prices.
2. They update the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan.
3. This new cost is used to set the maximum SNAP benefit levels.

In 2021, the USDA actually re-evaluated the TFP, which resulted in a permanent increase to SNAP benefits starting in October of that year. This was a big change! So, while there are yearly tweaks, that big re-evaluation had a lasting impact on how much food stamps could go up over time.

Understanding the TFP helps you see that when food prices go up, there’s a system in place to try and adjust benefits to match, even if it’s not always a perfect fit for everyone’s shopping list.

Why Your Food Stamps Might Be Different From Someone Else’s

You might wonder why your friend in another state, or even your neighbor, gets a different amount of food stamps than you. This is because SNAP benefits aren’t a one-size-fits-all program. While the federal government sets the overall rules and maximum amounts, there are important differences.

First, each state runs its own SNAP program. While they follow federal guidelines, states can have slightly different rules about things like what counts as income or resources. This can affect who qualifies and how much they receive. It’s important to remember that the maximum benefit amounts are just that—the maximum.

Your individual food stamp amount depends on several factors specific to your household. These include:

• Your household size (how many people live with you).
• Your household income (how much money everyone in your house earns).
• Certain expenses you have, like rent, utilities, or child care, which can sometimes lower your “countable” income.

For example, even if the maximum benefit for a single person in your state is $291, you might get less if your income is higher. Here’s a quick look at how maximum benefits can vary for a family of three in different states, though individual amounts will always depend on specific circumstances:

As you can see, states like Alaska and Hawaii have higher maximums due to their higher cost of living. So, while the federal adjustments tell us if the overall potential for food stamps will go up, your personal amount is tailored to your unique situation.

How Rising Prices Affect What Your Food Stamps Can Buy

Inflation is a word you might hear a lot, and it just means that prices for everyday things, like food, gas, and clothes, are going up over time. When we ask if food stamps will go up in 2024, part of the reason this question is so important is because of inflation.

Even if your food stamp amount stays the same, if prices at the grocery store increase, your benefits won’t buy as much food as they used to. This can make it harder for families to stretch their budget and get all the groceries they need. For example:

• A gallon of milk might cost more than it did last year.
• The price of a loaf of bread could be higher.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables might have increased in cost.

The government tries to account for this through the yearly adjustments based on the Thrifty Food Plan. They look at how much food prices have changed and try to increase the maximum SNAP benefits to keep pace. This is why the annual COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) is so important.

However, these adjustments don’t always perfectly match the speed at which prices are rising. Sometimes, prices go up faster than the benefits can be adjusted. This means that even with an increase, families might still feel the pinch of inflation when they go grocery shopping, highlighting the continuous need for benefits to keep up with economic realities.

Remembering the Extra Help During the Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government introduced something called “Emergency Allotments” (EAs) for SNAP recipients. These were extra food stamp benefits that most households received each month, on top of their regular amount. They were a huge help for many families struggling during a tough time.

However, these emergency allotments were temporary. Most states stopped giving out EAs in February 2023. This meant that many families saw a significant drop in their monthly food stamp amount after that date. For some, it was a decrease of $95 or more each month.

So, when people ask if food stamps will go up in 2024, it’s important to remember that for many, their benefits actually went down in 2023 due to the end of these emergency allotments. This change was a return to regular benefit amounts, not a cut, but it felt like a big decrease for those who had grown used to the extra help.

Therefore, while the federal annual adjustment for the current fiscal year (starting October 2023) did generally mean a slight increase in maximum benefits, it was often much smaller than the amount that was lost when the emergency allotments ended. This means that for many, even with the 2024 adjustments, their total benefits are still less than what they were getting during the pandemic.

Other Rules That Might Change Who Gets Food Stamps

While we’re talking about whether food stamps will go up in 2024, it’s also good to know that there are other changes that can affect SNAP, especially around who can get the benefits in the first place. These are called eligibility rules, and they determine if you qualify for food stamps.

One area that saw changes recently involves work requirements for certain adults without dependents (called Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents, or ABAWDs). In 2023, a new law called the Fiscal Responsibility Act changed some of these rules. Previously, these adults had a time limit on how long they could get SNAP without working a certain number of hours or participating in a training program.

The new law changed the age range for who these work requirements apply to. Before, it was for ABAWDs aged 18-49. Now, it’s being slowly raised. As of September 1, 2023, it applies to those aged 18-52, and by October 1, 2024, it will apply to those aged 18-54. This means more people in these age groups might need to meet work requirements to get food stamps.

However, there are also new groups of people who are now exempt from these work requirements, such as:

1. Veterans
2. People experiencing homelessness
3. Young adults aged 18-24 who were in foster care when they turned 18

These eligibility changes are different from the annual adjustments to how much money you get. They don’t change whether food stamps will go up in 2024 in terms of benefit amounts, but they do change who is able to receive those benefits at all. It’s important to stay informed about these rules by checking with your state SNAP agency.

How to Check Your Specific Benefit Amount

Even with all this information, you’re probably most interested in your family’s specific food stamp amount. Since benefits vary so much based on your household, income, and state, the best way to know exactly what you’ll receive is to check your personal information.

There are a few easy ways to find out your current benefit amount or if any changes are coming. Don’t rely on rumors or general news stories, as they might not apply to your unique situation.

Here are the best ways to check your food stamp balance and benefit amount:

• Check your state’s online SNAP portal: Most states have a website where you can log in with your case number and password to see your benefits.
• Call your state’s SNAP helpline: There’s usually a phone number you can call to speak with a representative.
• Review your benefit letter: When your benefits change or are renewed, your state agency often sends you a letter explaining the new amount.
• Check your EBT card balance: You can usually check your balance online, through a phone app, or by calling the number on the back of your card. This won’t tell you the *future* amount, but it shows your current balance.

You’ll usually need your case number, client ID, or Social Security Number to access your information. Knowing your specific amount ensures you can plan your grocery budget accurately and understand exactly what support you’re getting each month. It’s always best to go straight to the source for the most accurate details.

So, when you ask, “will food stamps go up in 2024?”, the answer is a bit complex. While the annual adjustments for the federal fiscal year beginning October 1, 2023, generally meant an increase in maximum benefits, individual amounts depend on many factors. It’s always best to check with your local SNAP office or online portal to understand your specific benefits and any upcoming changes. Staying informed helps ensure you’re getting the most out of the support available to you and your family.