New SNAP benefit amounts take effect Oct. 1: Here’s how much

(NEXSTAR) – Starting Oct. 1, new eligibility rules and updated benefit amounts will take effect for the estimated 37 million Americans receiving SNAP assistance.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, helps lower-income households afford groceries. Every month, participants see their benefit amount loaded onto an EBT debit card.

The amount recipients receive monthly is about to change thanks to an annual cost-of-living adjustment . In most cases, the maximum allotment is increasing slightly to keep up with inflation. Residents of one state, however, are seeing their benefits decline.

Income eligibility is also changing with new maximums depending on state, age and disability status.

How much someone receives in SNAP benefits depends largely on their household income and assets.

Generally, you qualify for at least some assistance if your gross monthly income is 130% or less than the federal poverty level. Starting in October, that number equals $1,729 as an individual or $3,575 as a family of four. The net income limits are lower: $1,330 for an individual or $2,750 for a family of four.

For able-bodied, non-elderly SNAP recipients, the new gross income limits are:

Different rules and limits are in place for households that have someone who is elderly or disabled. See the income limits for all situations in the new guidance here .

The asset limit will remain unchanged this year. It’s set at $3,000 for most households, or $4,750 in households where someone is disabled or 60 and older.

The maximum SNAP monthly allotment is changing to keep up with the rising cost of food .

The maximum amount a household receives depends on the state they live in. For a family of four living in the 48 contiguous U.S. states or Washington, D.C., the new benefit limit is $1,023.

The changes to maximum benefit amounts for SNAP recipients in the 48 contiguous states, plus D.C., are detailed in the chart below:

Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands have higher maximums due to the high cost of groceries in those places. A family of four in rural Alaska, for example, will be getting as much as $2,027 starting in October.

In Hawaii, benefits are actually decreasing slightly. A household of four in Hawaii will now have a maximum benefit of $1,655. (See more details about the changes in Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. territories here .)

The change in benefit amounts are roughly in line with inflation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , the cost of food at home has gone up about 2.7% year-over-year. Overall inflation is at 3.4%.

The new benefit amounts and eligibility requirements are in place from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027.