Food Stamps – September SNAP payment schedule before the 2025 COLA update

As September approaches, recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) should be aware of when their payments will arrive. This information is crucial for planning your monthly budget and ensuring that you have the resources you need for grocery shopping. Additionally, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an upcoming Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) that will impact SNAP benefits starting in October 2024.

Payment Schedule

Here is the full schedule for SNAP payments across various states and territories in September 2024:

• Alabama: September 4-23
• Alaska: September 1
• Arizona: September 1-13
• Arkansas: September 4-13
• California: September 1-10
• Colorado: September 1-10
• Connecticut: September 1-3
• Delaware: September 2-23
• Florida: September 1-28
• Georgia: September 5-23
• Hawaii: September 3-5
• Idaho: September 1-10
• Illinois: September 1-10
• Indiana: September 5-23
• Iowa: September 1-10
• Kansas: September 1-10
• Kentucky: September 1-19
• Louisiana: September 1-23
• Maine: September 10-14
• Maryland: September 4-23
• Massachusetts: September 1-14
• Michigan: September 3-21
• Minnesota: September 4-13
• Mississippi: September 4-21
• Missouri: September 1-22
• Montana: September 2-6
• Nebraska: September 1-5
• Nevada: September 1-10
• New Hampshire: September 5
• New Jersey: September 1-5
• New Mexico: September 1-20
• New York: September 1-9
• North Carolina: September 3-21
• North Dakota: September 1
• Ohio: September 2-20
• Oklahoma: September 1-10
• Oregon: September 1-9
• Pennsylvania: Over the first 10 business days
• Rhode Island: September 1
• South Carolina: September 1-10
• South Dakota: September 10
• Tennessee: September 1-20
• Texas: September 1-28
• Utah: September 5, 11, and 15
• Vermont: September 1
• Virginia: September 1-7
• Washington: September 1-20
• West Virginia: September 1-9
• Wisconsin: September 1-15
• Wyoming: September 1-4
• Guam: September 1-10
• Puerto Rico: September 4-22
• The District of Columbia: September 1-10
• The U.S. Virgin Islands: September 1

Maximum SNAP Benefits

The USDA has confirmed that the maximum SNAP benefits will remain unchanged until the end of September 2024. Here are the maximum amounts based on household size:

• 1 Person: $291
• 2 People: $535
• 3 People: $766
• 4 People: $943
• 5 People: $1,155
• 6 People: $1,386
• 7 People: $1,532
• 8 People: $1,751

For households with more than eight members, the USDA adds an additional $219 for each additional person.

Expected Changes

Starting in October 2024, the new SNAP benefit amounts will reflect a slight increase due to the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The increases, while modest, are designed to help households keep up with rising costs. Here are the expected new maximum amounts for 2025:

• 1 Person: $292
• 2 People: $536
• 3 People: $768
• 4 People: $975
• 5 People: $1,158
• 6 People: $1,390
• 7 People: $1,536
• 8 People: $1,756

While these increases are minimal, they are an attempt to help SNAP recipients maintain their purchasing power in the face of inflation. Notably, Hawaii is the only state where SNAP benefits will decrease slightly after the COLA adjustment.

Planning Your Budget

With the payment schedule and upcoming COLA in mind, it’s important to plan your grocery shopping and budget accordingly. Make sure to mark your payment dates on your calendar to avoid any disruptions in your monthly planning. Keep in mind that while the COLA increases may not be substantial, they still provide a bit of extra support as living costs continue to rise.

Staying informed about your SNAP payment dates and knowing the upcoming COLA changes are crucial for managing your finances effectively. While the increases may be small, they reflect ongoing efforts to help low-income households keep pace with inflation.

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