SNAP amounts change from year to year. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program tries to adapt the amount to the current economic situation. Take for example the pandemic when there was an emergency allotment. To cope with inflation and skyrocketing prices, USDA increases such payments depending on COLA.
USDA stands for the United States Department of Agriculture, while COLA has to do with the Cost of Living Adjustment. So, USDA tries to help beneficiaries maintain their purchasing power every year. There are many people who get SNAP while they are on Social Security benefits like SSI, Retirement, survivors, or SSDI.
As the new COLA made SNAP payments increase, those who receive it can now collect higher amounts. Although it might be disappointing because the emergency allotments were over by the end of February. What is more, the Food and Nutrition Service also raises income and resource thresholds annually.
What is the maximum amount a SNAP beneficiary could get in their EBT card each month in 2023?
The maximum amount depends on the number of members a household has. For instance, if you have a four-member family and live either in the 48 contiguous states or the District of Columbia the maximum amount is 939 dollars. Nevertheless, there are other amounts for other states that get more for SNAP.
For instance, it is the case of Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The maximum SNAP amount for a family that has four members living together is in Alaska. It could vary depending on the area where they live as well. Urban area beneficiaries could get up to $1,172. Rural applicants are either $1,494 or $1,819.
What is the maximum amount for Food Stamps if I live in Hawaii, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands?
If you live in Hawaii and qualify to get the maximum amount, you could collect as much as 1,794 dollars for four members. Those SNAP beneficiaries living in Guam could earn a maximum of $1,385 for four people. The U.S. Virgin Islands has the lowest amount of the four. It is still higher than the allotments in other states.
Therefore, those citizens that would like to apply for SNAP should take into account it has several requirements. The first one is to have a low income. Otherwise, it is not possible to qualify. Remember this is a benefit to fight food insecurity and hunger in the United States. And there are also resource limits.
Thus, it is essential to enroll to look for a job actively or not leave yours if you have one. Besides, you cannot reduce the number of hours without a good reason. Accepting a job you qualify for is a must too. Contact your local SNAP office to see if you meet all the requirements and eligibility, that could be tougher if you have no children.