Policy Memo (128.34 KB)
| DATE: | August 11, 2015 |
| SUBJECT: | SNAP- Fiscal Year 2016 Cost-of-Living Adjustments |
| TO: | All Regional Directors Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program |
This memorandum provides the fiscal year (FY) 2016 Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) maximum allotments, income eligibility standards, and deductions. Under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, COLAs are effective as of Oct. 1, 2015.
Attached are FY 2016 COLAs for the 48 contiguous states and D.C., Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Maximum allotments will remain unchanged for the 48 states and D.C., Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For a family of four receiving a maximum allotment, benefits will continue to be $649. Maximum allotments will increase for Alaska and Hawaii.
The shelter cap values increased by $14 to $504 for the 48 states and D.C. The shelter cap values for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands also increased. The minimum standard deduction for household sizes 1 through 3 is unchanged at $155 a month for the 48 states and D.C. Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands experienced increases in their standard deduction amounts for larger households. The minimum standard deduction for household sizes 1 through 5 in Alaska will decrease by $1 to $265.
The resource limit for households will remain unchanged for the 48 states and the District of Columbia, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands at $2,250. The resource limit for households where at least one person is age 60 or older, or is disabled, will remain unchanged at $3,250.
Regional offices should ensure that their states are apprised of these changes. State agencies with questions regarding these adjustments should contact their respective regional office representatives.
Lizbeth Silbermann
Director
Program Development Division