Starting in October, almost all SNAP households will see a modest, permanent increase in their SNAP benefits—generally between $12 to $16 per person per month. States will automatically make these changes for all SNAP households and recipients do not need to take any action.
The USDA recently re-evaluated the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) based on current data to reflect the cost of a healthy diet. This increased the purchasing power of regular SNAP benefits for the first time since 1975. Congress directed USDA to update the TFP. As a result, starting in October, maximum SNAP benefit amounts (excluding pandemic-related increases) will be 21 percent higher.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service: SNAP and the Thrifty Food Plan | USDA-FNS
October 1st also marks the end of the pandemic-related 15 percent increase to SNAP benefits that has been in place since January. However, SNAP emergency maximum allotments remain in place to help support families as many continue to emerge from the challenges of the last 18 months. Maximum emergency allotments are requested and renewed by individual states on a monthly basis. The Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services continues to request this flexibility and additional support.
by: Sarah Hudacek, AOF Policy Assistant