This week, the new increase in monthly checks from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), better known as “food stamps,” went into effect as a result of the Cost of Living Adjustment through the “Thrifty Food Plan.”
The amount of benefits are updated based on the “Thrifty Food Plan” (TFP) that goes into effect on October 1 with the beginning of the new fiscal year.
“SNAP benefit amounts are updated each year based on the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan in June and go into effect on October 1. The Thrifty Food Plan is the cost of food necessary to provide a healthy, budget-conscious diet for a family of four,” explains the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The USDA, the agency that administers SNAP, calculates the Thrifty Food Plan to adjust it to the cost of living using a mathematical model or equation that is based on the cost of food, nutrients in food, nutritional guidelines and what Americans eat.
In total, the USDA produces four meal plans at successively higher cost levels: Thrifty, Low Cost, Moderate, and Liberal. This is to illustrate how a healthy diet can be achieved at various costs.
Of the four, the Thrifty plan is the lowest cost.
A WatchBlog analysis of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) earlier this year notes that the reevaluation of the plan in 2021 resulted in a reduction in poverty in the nation.
“The TFP reassessment had a positive impact on households using SNAP across the nation. The new TFP kept about 2.3 million people out of poverty in the fourth quarter of 2021, reducing poverty by 4.7% compared to estimates if the plan had not been updated, according to the Urban Institute. Child poverty was reduced by 8.6%, with the largest decrease observed in black children,” GAO stated.
Prior to the 2021 update, the plan was severely underserved and did not reflect critical factors such as the current state of the Economy, the cost of living, the cost of food, and the time it took to prepare meals.
The Department periodically updated the specific foods and beverages that made up the plan, but kept the cost constant at 1975 levels.
Starting in 2021, the agency decided to allow the cost of the Thrifty plan to increase beyond inflation.
That’s why starting this month, beneficiaries will receive a larger check for food.
A new raise, but stricter work requirements for eligibility
Although the new increase impacts some 41 million SNAP beneficiaries, practically the entire population; New work eligibility requirements also go into effect starting October 1.
Specifically, on October 1, the age range increased from 18-50 years old to 18-52 years old for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD) applying for SNAP.
This means that potential SNAP recipients up to age 52 must prove that they work at least 80 hours a month or are enrolled in an education or job training program to receive food funds. If they do not demonstrate the above, they will only be able to receive allowances for three months in a period of 36 months or three years.
The phased increase under the Fiscal Responsibility Act passed in the US Congress this summer continues on October 1, 2024 when the age will increase to 54.
Keep reading:
SNAP Food Stamps: Maximum Check Increase Amounts Starting October 1 by COLA
SNAP Food Stamps: The Two Key Changes Going into Effect October 1
USDA Memo Confirms Increase in SNAP Food Stamps Starting October 1