In FY 2023, the USDA anticipates an increase in TEFAP entitlement food funding, due to significant inflationary changes reflected in the June 2022 TFP.

In September 2020, in response to a Congressional Directive, the USDA contracted with Insight Policy Research to conduct the Measuring the Cost of a Thrifty Food Plan in Puerto Rico study. The purpose of the study is to provide CNPP with options for measuring the cost of a TFP in Puerto Rico.

The Thrifty Food Plan, 2021 was released on Aug. 16, 2021. The TFP represents the cost of a nutritious, practical, cost-effective diet.

Based on USDA’s re-evaluation, the Thrifty Food Plan is increasing by 21% and total national FY 2022 TEFAP entitlement food funding will increase by an estimated $57.75 million. We will be sharing additional details and final numbers after the budget is finalized.

Congress directed USDA to re-evaluate the Thrifty Food Plan based on “current food prices, food composition data, consumption patterns, and dietary guidance.”  The 2021 TFP reflects the latest available data and is designed to meet the needs of low-income Americans in a cost-conscious way.

As a result of the Thrifty Food Plan re-evaluation, SNAP-participating households will receive an increase in benefits of , on average, $36 per person – or about $1.20 per day.

USDA is preparing an update to the Thrifty Food Plan, which is used to determine SNAP benefits. The TFP was last updated in 2006. As part of the update, USDA hosted 5 listening sessions with SNAP participants as well as local and national advocates, researchers, and policymakers to gather diverse insights on the TFP. Here’s a snapshot of what they shared.

The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 required USDA to re-evaluate the Thrifty Food Plan by 2022 and every 5 years thereafter based on current food prices, food composition data, consumption patterns and dietary guidance. By law, the June TFP is the basis for SNAP maximum allotments for the following fiscal year.

This memorandum provides the FY 2022 Cost-of-Living Adjustments to SNAP, income eligibility standards, and deductions for the 48 contiguous states and D.C., Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. COLAs are effective as of Oct. 1, 2021.