If you depend on SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to cover your expenses, you might be curious about when the subsequent increase will occur.
Luckily, there is good news as SNAP benefits will rise again in 2024. Let’s take a closer look at the specifics.
In case you missed it, there has already been an increase in SNAP benefits recently.
The maximum monthly benefit for a family of four has risen from $939 to $973.
While this is a positive step, it’s important to note that more than the 2024 increase of approximately 3.6% may be needed to cover the rising food costs experienced over the past year.
Food insecurity is a pressing issue for many American families, and staying informed about available assistance is crucial.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) periodically adjusts SNAP benefits to reflect changes in the cost of living, and they’ve recently announced the new benefit amounts for the 2024 fiscal year.
The surprise is that these new provisions have already taken effect as of October 1, 2023.
SNAP plays a vital role in assisting millions of low-income families and households across America to put food on the table.
It’s designed to reduce hunger, especially among children, and these adjustments are made annually, which is why they’ve already kicked in for the 2024 fiscal year.
It’s important to note that benefit amounts can vary from state to state, as some states have a higher cost of living.
Therefore, families in these states will receive a higher benefit to cope with the increased expenses associated with daily living.
Read Next: Texas SNAP Benefit Expansion in the Pipeline for 2024: Here’s the Latest
2024 SNAP Benefit Changes: Impacts and Challenges
The changes for the 2024 benefits range from a 3.5% to a 3.9% increase, depending on the household size.
For households with more than eight members, each additional person will receive an extra $219 in benefits.
While this aid is significant, it’s worth mentioning that in some countries, benefits of this magnitude are sufficient to cover a month’s worth of groceries.
However, in America, where the cost of living is relatively high, the average benefit of around $8 per person may still leave some families struggling to put enough food on the table.
As we move forward into 2024, staying informed about SNAP benefit changes and exploring additional resources in your community is essential for those who rely on this program to make ends meet.
Food security is a basic human need, and it’s crucial to ensure that assistance programs evolve to meet the challenges of our changing world.
Read Next: Preparing for SNAP Changes: October 1, 2023, Benefits and Guidelines
Source: Marca
