The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly referred to as Food Stamps, is an essential lifeline for millions of families across the United States.
With 2024 drawing to a close, the USDA has announced important information regarding leftover SNAP funds going into November and the distribution plan for December. Here is everything to know about these updates and the qualifications that families may use to their advantage.
SNAP is a federal assistance program instituted to alleviate food insecurity by providing funds to low-income families to purchase healthy groceries.
However, at the state level, SNAP hands out Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards for recipients to purchase approved food.
November SNAP Payments:
In November only 17 states and Puerto Rico continue to disperse SNAP benefits. Most of them will end on November 28, 2024. Here is the list of states still issuing benefits:
| State | Payment Dates |
|---|---|
| Alabama | November 4-23 |
| Delaware | November 2-23 |
| Florida | November 1-28 |
| Georgia | November 5-23 |
| Indiana | November 5-23 |
| Kentucky | November 1-19 |
| Louisiana | November 1-23 |
| Maryland | November 4-23 |
| Michigan | November 3-21 |
| Mississippi | November 4-21 |
| Missouri | November 1-22 |
| New Mexico | November 1-20 |
| North Carolina | November 3-21 |
| Ohio | November 2-20 |
| Tennessee | November 1-20 |
| Texas | November 1-28 |
| Washington | November 1-20 |
| Puerto Rico | November 4-22 |
December SNAP Payments:
The USDA released its December payment schedule, which can also vary by state. Payments will start on December 1, 2024, and will include the 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). Here are the key dates for December:
| State | Payment Dates |
|---|---|
| Alabama | December 4-23 |
| Alaska | December 1 |
| Arizona | December 1-13 |
| Arkansas | December 4-13 |
| California | December 1-10 |
| Colorado | December 1-10 |
| Connecticut | December 1-3 |
| Delaware | December 2-23 |
| Florida | December 1-28 |
| Georgia | December 5-23 |
| Hawaii | December 3-5 |
| Idaho | December 1-10 |
| Illinois | December 1-10 |
| Indiana | December 5-23 |
| Iowa | December 1-10 |
| Kansas | December 1-10 |
| Kentucky | December 1-19 |
| Louisiana | December 1-23 |
| Maine | December 10-14 |
| Maryland | December 4-23 |
| Massachusetts | December 1-14 |
| Michigan | December 3-21 |
| Minnesota | December 4-13 |
| Mississippi | December 4-21 |
| Missouri | December 1-22 |
| Montana | December 2-6 |
| Nebraska | December 1-5 |
| Nevada | December 1-10 |
| New Hampshire | December 5 |
| New Jersey | December 1-5 |
| New Mexico | December 1-20 |
| New York | December 1-9 |
| North Carolina | December 3-21 |
| North Dakota | December 1 |
| Ohio | December 2-20 |
| Oklahoma | December 1-10 |
| Oregon | December 1-9 |
| Pennsylvania | First 10 business days |
| Rhode Island | December 1 |
| South Carolina | December 1-10 |
| South Dakota | December 10 |
| Tennessee | December 1-20 |
| Texas | December 1-28 |
| Utah | December 5, 11, 15 |
| Vermont | December 1 |
| Virginia | December 1-7 |
| Washington | December 1-20 |
| West Virginia | December 1-9 |
| Wisconsin | December 1-15 |
| Wyoming | December 1-4 |
| Guam | December 1-10 |
| Puerto Rico | December 4-22 |
| District of Columbia | December 1-10 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | December 1 |
SNAP Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify for SNAP benefits, families must meet income, resource, and work requirements:
Income Limits:
- Gross Monthly Income: At or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL). For a family of 4, this is $3,380/month.
- Net Monthly Income: At or below 100% of the FPL. For a family of 4, this would be $2,600/month.
Net Income Test is applied to households with an elderly or disabled member.
Resource Limits:
- Households may have up to $3,000 in countable resources, such as bank accounts.
- This is set at $4,500 in the case of households with elderly or disabled members.
Most households are categorically eligible and exempt from resource limits.
Work Requirements:
The ABAWDs aged 18-52 need to work or be in a work program for at least 20 hours a week to get SNAP for more than 3 months within a 36-month cycle.
- Exemptions: Elderly, children, pregnant women, and physically handicapped.
- Maximizing Benefits to Families
Those eligible for SNAP will, therefore, gain much, especially in places such as Alaska or Hawaii which are perceived as expensive, as their maximum benefit is $3,516 for a family of 8.
The eligibility of families must obtain the criteria and also the payday schedule for families to maximize on their advantages.
SNAP continues to provide critical responses to food insecurity in the country. These updates demonstrate efforts to relate the benefits to inflation and to state-specific needs.
FAQS:
How many months until SNAP payments will be made in December?
Payments made on December 1, 2024.
What is the maximum SNAP benefit for a family with 8 members?
In Alaska, $3,516.
What are the income limits for SNAP?
For a family of 4, gross income must be under $3,380.
Who is exempt from SNAP work requirements?
Seniors, disabled, children and pregnant women.