The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is one of the most popular subsidies in the United States. In this way, the federal government provides funds to make monthly payments to families in need of food.
Payments are offered via EBT debit cards, which are accepted at certain stores or supermarkets participating in the program.
In 2023, the average SNAP voucher payment for an individual was $180.00, while the maximum amount was $281.00.
But it is already a fact that the beneficiaries will receive an increase in their payments as early as 2024. In fact, according to GoBankingRates' analysis, the key changes to the program for next year lie in four fundamental aspects.
The biggest change concerns the admission criteria. In June of this year, the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) increased the minimum age for “healthy adults without dependents.”
This will drastically change SNAP eligibility criteria. In this sense, work requirements will be a requirement for those under 54 years of age.
However, with the increase in the age limit for work requirements, new exceptions were also approved. Therefore, here lies another change.
Adults who do not have to meet work requirements include pregnant women, veterans, the disabled or the homeless.
What other changes are planned for 2024?
The minimum income required to participate in the program is another topic that is changing. Now, to qualify for SNAP vouchers, an individual's gross monthly income must not exceed 130% of the federal poverty level.
Finally, like Social Security, the USDA increases payments annually through the cost of living adjustment (COLA).
Therefore, due to the 2024 COLA increase, the maximum payment an individual can receive increases from $281.00 to $291.00.
But the amounts also vary for other families with several members. That means a family of two would receive $535.00; one of three, $766.00; and one with 4 members $973.00.
For families with five members, the payment is approximately $1,155.00; for the group of six $1386.00 and for the group of seven $11751.00.
Additionally, households with 8 members receive $11,751.00 and each additional member earns $219.00 more.