In 2024, the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024 will become law. This could mean big changes for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman, Debbie Stabenow, proposed this bill. Its goals are to improve SNAP’s structure and support conservation and climate initiatives. On the other hand, a different draft from Republican lawmakers says that program funding could be cut, which could mean big changes to the amounts of benefits and who is eligible.
The changes that will happen to SNAP in 2024 could change how it works and who can get help. The goal is to improve food security and encourage environmentally friendly practices, but the different drafts make things complicated, and the results will rest a lot on how the legislation is made. People who benefit from the program and people who have a stake in food security should keep a close eye on these events to get ready for the changes that are coming.
Expected SNAP Benefit Changes 2024
Food and farming systems will be more fair because of the new law, which takes conservation and climate change into account in food security plans. It focuses on making public-private partnerships stronger in agricultural studies and helping local farming communities get better access to the supply chain.
The act wants to lower the cost of crop insurance and make it easier for farmers to get land and loans. This will indirectly help with food security by keeping food production stable.
- For SNAP purposes, the military basic allowance for living will no longer be seen as paid income.
- More young adults will be able to get benefits because restrictions will be loosened for college students and people who used to live in foster care.
- Earnings from job and training programs will not be counted toward SNAP benefits.
- People who have been guilty of drug crimes will be able to apply for SNAP benefits 30 days before they are released.
- SNAP payments will now be available in Puerto Rico, making the program more useful to more people.
- More money was put into SNAP schooling to help people who get the program make better food choices.
Impact of Potential Funding Cuts
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In the event that the alternative Republican plan is passed, SNAP could lose $30 billion over the next ten years. These cuts could stop changes for rising food prices, which means that the average family could lose about $7 a month in benefits. Since more than 41 million Americans depend on SNAP, these changes could have a huge effect on food poverty across the country.
Additional SNAP Updates for 2024
Every year, the USDA changes SNAP payments based on how much it costs to live. The following changes have been made to the eligibility standards and benefit amounts for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2023, and ending September 30, 2024:
The age limit for “able-bodied adults without dependents” (ABAWD) will go up, allowing people up to 54 years old to work by October 2024.
The maximum gross monthly income is 130% of the federal poverty level. Amounts vary depending on the size of the family and where it is located.
The maximum amounts of benefits have been changed, and the exact amounts depend on the state and the size of the family.
Understanding SNAP Benefit Amounts and Eligibility Criteria
The purpose of SNAP benefits and qualifying requirements is to help people in need by giving them money to buy food. These things are changed every year to keep up with changes in the economy and cost of living.
Eligibility Criteria
To get SNAP benefits, families must meet a number of requirements about their income and resources. These include:
- Income Limits:
- Gross Monthly Income: Must be at or below 130% of the federal poverty level (FPL). This amount varies depending on household size and state of residence.
- Net Monthly Income: Must be at or below 100% of the FPL after deductions are applied.
- Resource Limits:
- Households without elderly or disabled members must have resources (like cash or money in a bank account) of $2,750 or less.
- Households with elderly or disabled members must have $4,250 or less resources.
- Work Requirements:
- Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) must meet work requirements, which include working or participating in a work program for at least 80 hours a month. Starting October 2024, this requirement will include individuals up to age 54.
- Other Criteria:
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or meet certain non-citizen eligibility criteria.
- Certain individuals, such as strikers, most college students, and some non-citizens, are not eligible.
SNAP Benefit Amounts
The allotment, or total SNAP benefit a family gets, is mostly based on the size of the household, its income, and the deductions that are allowed. Earnings, care costs for dependents, medical costs (for old or disabled family members), and high housing costs are some of the things that can be deducted.
The benefit amount is calculated by estimating how much income remains for food after meeting basic needs. Households are expected to spend 30% of their net income on food. The SNAP allotment is the difference between this 30% contribution and the maximum benefit for the household size.
- For the fiscal year 2024, maximum allotments vary based on household size and location due to differences in the cost of living. For instance, the maximum monthly allotment for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states and D.C. is $973.
- The minimum benefit for smaller households remains $23.
The allotments are adjusted annually to reflect changes in the cost of living. These adjustments ensure that SNAP benefits keep pace with food inflation.
Example Amount Calculation
If a family of four makes $1,200 a month, they should:
- People in the household are supposed to pay 30% of $1,200, or $360, for food.
- If a family of four gets the most money possible ($973), their SNAP income would be ($973 – $360) = $613 per month.
SNAP helps people who don’t have enough food by changing benefits based on family needs and economic factors. Knowing these facts helps make sure that people and families who are eligible can get the help they need. These criteria and estimates of benefits make sure that the program helps the people who need it the most while also being able to adapt to changes in the economy and the cost of living.