SNAP Benefits Update: Who Is Eligible for Major Increase in Food Stamp Payments This October 2022?

By Mary Webber First Posted: Oct 02, 2022 09:37 PM EDT

SNAP benefits October 2022 were reported to have increased for household recipients who qualify for the food stamp program.

According to Forbes, the SNAP benefits update will automatically increase due to recent changes in the cost of living brought by high inflation. It was reported that around 41 million Americans receive SNAP benefits, with this year's cost-of-living adjustment being much bigger than it was in previous years.

The new maximum SNAP benefits payments for every individual will be $281, while the maximum benefit for a family of three will increase from $658 to $740.

The new monthly benefit will differ depending on the recipient's income and any deductions for which you may qualify. Eligible recipients will need to do nothing to see the increases reflected, as it would be applied automatically.

Each state is responsible for the release of the SNAP benefit payments. Recipients can contact their local SNAP office to apply or find a local office to apply personally.

SNAP Benefits October 2022

Aside from the COLA increase, the SNAP benefits criteria have been adjusted, including the income eligibility standards and deductions. The standard deduction amount increased from $177 to $193 for households of one to four people.

A higher standard deduction allows more individuals and households to qualify for more benefits. The Motley Fool reported that some states still have pandemic exceptions, depending on where you live.

As a general rule, a household's gross monthly income must be at or below 130% of the poverty line to be deemed qualified. Residents of Hawaii, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Alaska are qualified for higher payments and are subject to different income requirements.

The COLA increase of 12.5% will mean that a two-person household could receive as much as $516, which is $57 more than they do now. For each additional person, a household can receive an extra $211.

SNAP Benefits Payments Amid Inflation

Director of federal SNAP policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Dottie Rosenbaum, noted that the COLA increase will put SNAP benefits better in line with the rising cost of food over the past year.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that grocery prices rose by 13.5% in August, according to CNN. In addition, the anti-hunger group Feeding America network saw around 40% of food pantries and soup kitchens increase in the number of people they were serving in July compared to June.

SNAP recipients can use their food stamps to buy fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, bread, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages.

SNAP benefits recipients, who live in states that signed on to SNAP's Restaurant Meals Program, can also use their SNAP benefits to buy hot, prepared meals at participating restaurants.

The program is aimed at those who cannot prepare the meals themselves. If you are eligible or do not live in a state participating in the program, you cannot use SNAP benefits to buy hot meals.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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