SNAP Benefits Rise About 3% Starting October 1: New Maximum Amounts and What Else Is Changing

If your family uses SNAP, the most you can receive each month just went up a little, and a few other rules shifted too.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP or food stamps, helps about 36 million people buy groceries each month, according to the latest federal data. Every year on October 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) updates the benefit amounts to keep up with food prices. This is called a cost-of-living adjustment.

The new amounts took effect today, October 1, 2026, and run through September 30, 2027.

The new maximum monthly benefits

For the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the new maximum monthly SNAP amounts are:

• 1 person: $306 (up from $298)
• 2 people: $562
• 3 people: $808
• 4 people: $1,023 (up from $994)
• 5 people: $1,217
• 6 people: $1,463
• 7 people: $1,616
• 8 people: $1,841
• Each additional person: $225

That works out to an increase of about 3%. Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands have their own, higher amounts.

In the 48 contiguous states and D.C., the minimum monthly benefit rises to $25.

Not every family will see a bigger check

These are maximum amounts. Your actual benefit depends on your household's income, size and certain expenses, such as housing costs. A family that earns some income will usually get less than the maximum.

So the new numbers do not mean every household will get an increase. Some families may see a small bump, and some may see no change at all.

Income limits went up too

The income limits that decide who can qualify also rose. For most households, gross monthly income (your income before taxes and deductions) must be at or below 130% of the federal poverty level. The new limits include:

• 1 person: $1,729 a month (up from $1,696)
• 4 people: $3,575 a month (up from $3,483)

The standard deduction, a set amount subtracted from income when figuring benefits, rose to $217 a month for households of one to three people.

States now pay more of the costs

Another change also started October 1. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the tax and spending law signed in July 2025, states must now pay 75% of the cost of running SNAP, up from 50%. Those administrative costs cover things like caseworkers, call centers and computer systems.

The benefits themselves are still paid by the federal government for now. Starting in October 2027, states with high payment error rates will also have to pay part of the benefit costs.

Separately, the same law expanded work requirements for some adults. Able-bodied adults without dependents generally must work, volunteer or take part in training for at least 80 hours a month to keep benefits beyond three months in a three-year period, unless they qualify for an exemption. Rules and exemptions can vary, so check with your state SNAP office.

What this means for your wallet

If you receive SNAP, here are a few steps to consider:

• Check your October benefit. Log in to your state's SNAP or EBT account to see your new amount.
• Report changes on time. If your income or household size changes, reporting it can keep your benefits accurate and help you avoid having to pay money back later.
• Ask about work rules. If you are an adult without dependents, ask your state office whether the work requirements apply to you and what counts toward the 80 hours.
• Plan your monthly grocery budget. Writing down what your benefits cover and what you pay out of pocket can help you stretch every dollar.

If you think you might qualify but have never applied, your state SNAP office can tell you how to apply and what documents you need.