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Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Information

Resource type
Policy
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
20242023202220212020201920182017
20162015201420132012201120102009
2008200720062005    

 

Maximum Allotments and Deductions
2024202320222021-32021-22021-120202019
20182017201620152014-2*2014-1*20132012
201120102009-22009-12008200720062005

 

Maximum Allotments for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands
2024202320222021-32021-22021-120202019
20182017201620152014-2*2014-1*20132012
201120102009-22009-12008200720062005

 

Minimum SNAP Allotment
2024202320222021-32021-22021-1202020192018
2017201620152014201320122011  

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

Page updated: January 04, 2024