(NEXSTAR) – Although the federal government might be facing a shutdown, changes to SNAP benefits began on the first of the month, coinciding with the start of the new fiscal year.
Each October, there’s a cost-of-living adjustment for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program, which used to be known as the Food Stamp Program, provides assistance to low-income individuals and families for grocery expenses. Starting October 1, 2025, recipients can expect a slight increase in their benefits due to an adjustment in the maximum allocation.
That said, some beneficiaries may see an increase of only $6 per month compared to last month—while a family of four could gain about $19. This is a bit concerning, especially as grocery costs have risen nearly 3% over the past year.
Here’s a breakdown of the changes in monthly benefit amounts for residents in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, DC:
| Number of people in household | Maximum benefits begin October 1, 2025 | Previous maximum before October 1st |
| 1 | $298 | $292 |
| 2 | $546 | $536 |
| 3 | $785 | $768 |
| 4 | $994 | $975 |
| 5 | $1,183 | $1,158 |
| 6 | $1,421 | $1,390 |
| 7 | $1,571 | $1,536 |
| 8 | $1,789 | $1,756 |
| Each additional person | $218 | $220 |
It’s worth noting that food prices tend to be higher in places like Hawaii, Alaska, the Virgin Islands, and Guam, which means the maximum benefit amounts can differ significantly. In fact, in some rural areas of Alaska, a household of four might receive as much as $1,995 for food costs.
However, SNAP benefits in Hawaii and the Virgin Islands won’t see any increases this year. In fact, as of October 1st, the maximum amounts for a family of four will decrease by $34 and $24, respectively.
Your SNAP benefits depend on your household income and assets. Generally, you qualify for assistance if your monthly income is less than $1,696 for individuals or $3,483 for a family of four.
Other factors, like employment status and immigration status, as well as age and disability, can also influence eligibility for food assistance.
Recently, there have been further changes to SNAP, especially following the passage of a major bill over the summer. Critics are concerned that this law, aimed at reducing funding for the program, might limit how many people can access it over time. Changes involve stricter work requirements, cutting obesity prevention programs, and shifting more administrative costs to states. Additionally, certain immigrant groups—like refugees and human trafficking survivors—will be removed from SNAP eligibility.
