In August 2025, nine U.S. states have seen increases in their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, providing critical additional support to millions of low-income families and individuals amid rising living costs. These adjustments come as part of the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, aimed at ensuring that SNAP benefits keep pace with inflation and the changing economic landscape.
The nine states experiencing benefit increases include Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and one more state among the contiguous 48. These boosts in SNAP benefits mean that eligible households in these states can expect a modest yet meaningful increase in their monthly allotments to help cover essential food costs.
As of October 1, 2024, the maximum monthly SNAP benefit for a family of four in the contiguous 48 states, including many of the nine states mentioned, has risen to $975. The increase translates to approximately a 2.5% to 3% rise in benefits, reflective of the inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). For single-person households, the maximum monthly allotment has increased slightly to $292, up by a dollar from the previous year.
For example, in Texas, one of the nine states, SNAP beneficiaries can use their benefits to purchase a wide range of nutritious foods, including fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products, and cereals. Families in Texas will also be allowed to use SNAP benefits to buy seeds and plants for growing their own food. These increased benefits aim to ease the strain on households struggling with food insecurity and rising grocery prices.
Similarly, states like Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin have adjusted their income eligibility limits and increased allotments to better assist their residents. The increases reflect the ongoing federal commitment to align SNAP benefits with the real cost of living, helping to mitigate hunger among vulnerable populations.
Beyond the benefit increases, some of these states are joining a national movement to improve the nutritional impact of SNAP. Beginning in 2026, six states—including Texas and others—have obtained waivers to restrict SNAP benefits from being used to purchase sugary drinks and certain processed “junk” foods. This initiative aims to promote healthier eating habits and reduce diet-related health issues among SNAP recipients.
While the benefit increases provide relief, there are also new federal policies beginning in 2027 that will require states with higher payment error rates to share more of the program’s costs, potentially impacting how SNAP benefits are administered going forward. Despite these changes, SNAP remains the largest and most effective federal anti-hunger program in the United States, supporting over 42 million Americans every month.
Families relying on SNAP benefits in these nine states will begin to see the increased payments reflected in their monthly Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) accounts starting October 2024, helping them purchase more nutritious food amidst persistent economic challenges.
In summary, the SNAP benefit increases in these nine states represent a vital adjustment to help low-income households meet their nutritional needs. With food prices continuing to challenge family budgets nationwide, these updates come as a welcome boost to ensure healthier and more secure access to food.
Residents in these states are encouraged to check their new benefit amounts and eligibility details through their local SNAP offices or online portals as the changes take effect over the coming months.
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