SNAP Payments to Increase 12.5% in October. Max Benefit for Family of Four Now $939

Food benefits are increasing to match the higher cost of living.

The cost of groceries has jumped dramatically in the past year, along with the cost of housing, gas, and utilities. Sadly, many people haven't seen corresponding increases in their income, which means they've had to stretch their budgets and dig into their savings to cover everyday costs. Lower income families who were already operating on tight budgets have been hardest hit by the price hikes.

October promises some respite for those receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits as the payments will increase by 12.5%. In most of the country, a family of four who qualifies for the maximum SNAP payment will receive $939, up from $835. A two-person household could receive as much as $516 -- $57 more than they do now.

SNAP benefits will increase from Oct. 1

SNAP benefits are managed by individual states, so the process can vary depending on where you live, particularly as some states still have pandemic exceptions in place. But generally speaking, eligibility depends on your income, as well as any assets you have. As a rule of thumb, a household's gross monthly income must be at or below 130% of the poverty line to qualify.

The new maximum SNAP benefits for different sized households are shown below. The money will be automatically loaded onto people's Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards each month. Residents of Hawaii, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Alaska are eligible for higher payments and are subject to different income requirements.

Maximum SNAP benefits for 2023 fiscal year

SNAP benefits are adjusted for cost-of-living changes each fiscal year, so the 2023 changes will be introduced from Oct. 1 and run until Sept. 30.

Stretching your food budget

It is possible to feed a family on a SNAP budget, but it isn't easy. For a family of four, $939 a month breaks down to less than $8 per person per day. Here are some ways to make your food money go further.

1. Make a meal plan

Meal planning can be restrictive, especially if you work an irregular schedule or life doesn't follow a set routine. However, if you're trying to feed a family on a budget, it can make a big difference. It means you can get by on one big monthly shopping trip, and can cut out a lot of last-minute runs to the store. Having a meal plan also lets you buy certain items in bulk, knowing you'll use them before they go bad, and generally cut food waste.

If you don't have a lot of time to cook, the freezer is your friend -- cook up double or even triple batches of things like stews, pasta sauces, or soups and freeze them. You can also freeze things like milk that's close to its sell-by date, eggs (not in their shells), grated cheese. Buying frozen produce is often cheaper than fresh as well. Use lower cost ingredients such as oats, bread, or dried beans to bulk out meals, and consider cutting down on the amount of meat you eat.

2. Double up SNAP benefits

A number of states run schemes that let you double up your SNAP benefits at farmers markets and certain grocery stores. All SNAP recipients automatically qualify for Double Up Food Bucks. Look to see if there are any double up offers near you as you can get twice as much produce for your money.

3. Use cash back apps

Don't assume that you can't use cash back apps and coupons just because you're paying with an EBT card. Look for ones that let you scan the receipt and work with SNAP-friendly retailers. Experiment with different apps to find the one that works best for you. There are also food apps out there such as Too Good To Go and Flash Food that help people buy food that's close to its sell by date and might otherwise be thrown away.

4. Know that emergency food help is available

The extra SNAP benefits will go some way to help some families, but not everybody qualifies. If you need emergency food help, call United Way on 211. The phone line can connect you with local resources such as food banks, soup kitchens, or other support.

Additional help could be on the way

President Biden spoke this week at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. He championed the expansion of nutrition assistance programs and restated his goal to end hunger in America by 2030.

In the long run, that could translate into extra food assistance for those who need it most. For now, increased SNAP benefits for 2023 could help a number of low-income households to keep food on the table in spite of increasing living costs.