October ushers in changes to SNAP, the government's supplemental nutrition assistance program, including one shift Americans may see immediately and another one that could determine the program's fate and benefits in coming years, analysts said.
Most Americans on SNAP, formerly called food stamps, will see a small bump in their benefits from the annual cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. In the 48 contiguous states plus Washington, DC, a family of three will see maximum monthly SNAP payments rise by $23. For a family of four they'll rise $29. A family of five will see a $34 increase. Singles will see an $8 rise. Maximum benefit amounts are different in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, because of higher prices for groceries.