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Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Information

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Regulations
Resource materials

We adjust SNAP maximum allotments, deductions, and income eligibility standards at the beginning of each federal fiscal year. The fiscal year begins on Oct. 1st. The changes are based on changes in the cost of living. Cost of living is the amount of money needed to support a basic standard of living.

The Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) calculates the cost of a market basket for a family of four. TFP is an estimate by the U.S. Department of Agriculture of how much it costs to provide nutritious, low-cost meals for a household. Maximum allotments are calculated from this cost every June.

The calculation takes economies of scale into account. Smaller households get slightly more per person than the four-person household. Households larger than four people get slightly less per person.

Income eligibility standards are set by law. Gross monthly income limits are set at 130 percent of the poverty level for the household size. Gross income means a household's total, non-excluded income, before any deductions have been made Net monthly income limits are set at 100 percent of poverty. Net income means gross income minus allowable deductions.

Income Eligibility Standards
2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017
2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009
2008 2007 2006 2005        

 

Maximum Allotments and Deductions
2024 2023 2022 2021-3 2021-2 2021-1 2020 2019
2018 2017 2016 2015 2014-2* 2014-1* 2013 2012
2011 2010 2009-2 2009-1 2008 2007 2006 2005

 

Maximum Allotments for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands
2024 2023 2022 2021-3 2021-2 2021-1 2020 2019
2018 2017 2016 2015 2014-2* 2014-1* 2013 2012
2011 2010 2009-2 2009-1 2008 2007 2006 2005

 

Minimum SNAP Allotment
2024 2023 2022 2021-3 2021-2 2021-1 2020 2019 2018
2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011    

* pre ARRA (American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009)

Page updated: September 29, 2023