It’s always a good time to readjust your budget, but how you do it will also depend on any adjustments to your income or expenses. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service adjusts maximum allowances, deductions, and income eligibility requirements at the beginning of each federal fiscal year.
Cost‑of‑Living Adjustment (COLA) — Effective October 1, 2024
Beginning October 1, 2024, maximum SNAP benefit levels increased based on the 2025 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). For the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the maximum monthly allowance for a family of four is now $975, up from $973 in 2024.
Single-person households can now receive up to $292 per month, and the limit for eight people is $1,756 per month, with an additional $220 for each household member above eight.
Benefits are higher in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For example, a four-person household in rural Alaska can receive up to $1,953 per month, while in Hawaii the limit is $1,723 per month.
Updated Income and Deduction Limits for Eligibility (October 1, 2024–September 30, 2025)
Household gross income must be ≤130% of the federal poverty level, and net income must be ≤100% of the federal poverty level.
- One person: Gross limit: $1,632 / Net limit: $1,255
- Four people: Gross limit: $3,380 / Net limit: $2,600
The standard deduction for households of one to three people is $204 per month; the limit for housing is set at $712, with higher deductions allowed in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The asset limit for general households is now $3,000, and increases to $4,500 if any household member is elderly or disabled.
Changes to ABAWD Work Requirements
Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) face stricter regulations:
The mandatory age range for ABAWD eligibility has been expanded from 18 to 54 to 18 to 64.
To continue receiving benefits beyond three months in a 36-month period, eligible individuals must complete at least 80 hours of work, volunteer activities, or approved SNAP training per month.
Exemptions now include fewer categories; previously exempt individuals, such as veterans, homeless individuals, and former foster youth, must now generally meet work requirements unless they are age 65 or older, pregnant, caring for a child under 14, or have a disability.
Some states are implementing these changes gradually; check with your local SNAP agency for state-specific timelines.
Policy Risks on the Horizon
Recent federal legislation could dramatically alter SNAP:
The “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed by Congress in July 2025 includes sweeping SNAP reforms:
- Expanded work requirements, extending ABAWD obligations to age 64.
- Shifting some SNAP benefit costs to states, estimated at 15% or more. Limits on future increases in the Food Stamp Program, slowing benefit growth.
- Limitations on eligibility for certain immigrant groups.
- Cuts to utility allocations that could reduce monthly benefits for up to 600,000 households.
The legislation is projected to reduce federal SNAP funding by $186 billion over the next decade.
What You Should Do
Check your household size and income to see if you meet the new limits and if your benefit has increased.
Use the USDA’s SNAP eligibility standards and calculators to estimate your benefits.
If you are an ABAWD or know someone who is, make sure their work/training hours are documented and recognized by the state.
Contact your state SNAP agency for information on the timing and implementation of ABAWD rule changes.
Stay abreast of proposed legislation that may affect SNAP funding or eligibility in future years.
Why These Changes Matter
SNAP supports more than 40 million Americans, providing essential food assistance to households across the United States, averaging about $199 per month per recipient. The 2025 COLA increases help offset rising food prices, but the expansion of ABAWD eligibility could reduce access for many adults, especially those without dependents.
Staying informed about the recent benefit increases and evolving eligibility rules is important for recipients, advocates, and community organizations alike.
If you’d like help calculating your benefit amount based on household size and income, or understanding ABAWD exemptions and state rules, I’d be happy to help!
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