Federal Cost-of-Living Adjustments Result in Increased SNAP Benefits Starting October 1, 2023

BATON ROUGE, LA - The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will provide higher monthly household benefits to over 300,000 Louisiana households beginning October 1, 2023, thanks to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) cost-of-living adjustment for Federal Fiscal Year 2024.

To address the impact of inflation on SNAP recipients’ benefits, the USDA annually adjusts SNAP monthly allotments in accordance with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index (CPI) trends, as rising costs can potentially lead to a decline in the ability to afford vital, nutritious foods essential to health and well-being.

For Fiscal Year 2024, maximum monthly food allotments will see an increase according to household size. For example, the maximum benefit for a single-member household will rise from $281 to $291 per month. Meanwhile, a household of three will experience an increase from $740 to $766 per month.

The minimum monthly allotment remains at $23.

These changes are expected to impact those with little to no income who are currently receiving the maximum benefit amount.

Income Thresholds and Deductions Adjusted

Changes in income thresholds and deductions will also lead to an increase in monthly benefits for some SNAP households starting October 1, 2023.

Income eligibility standards, tied to inflation and the federal poverty level, are being adjusted, with increased gross and net monthly income limits for households. A single-person household will now have a gross monthly income limit of $1,580 (up $107), and a net monthly income limit of $1215 (up $82), while a single-person Broad-Based Categorically Eligible (BBCE) household will now have a gross monthly income limit of $2,430 (up $165). A household of three, on the other hand, will be limited to a gross monthly income of $2,694 (up $199) and a net monthly income of $2,072 (up $152), with a BBCE household having a gross monthly income limit of $4,144 (up $305). A household is considered a BBCE household if they qualify for non-cash benefits such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or State maintenance of effort (MOE) funded assistance.

The resource limit for qualifying households with at least one person aged 60 or older or disabled remains at $4,250. For all other eligible households, it remains at $2,750.

Additionally, the monthly standard deduction has risen by $5 to $198, and the shelter cap has increased to $672, up by $48. Households where all members are homeless and have qualifying shelter expenses can now receive a shelter deduction of $179.66, up from the previous $166.81.

For more information about SNAP, visit www.dcfs.la.gov/snap.

About the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services

DCFS is the state agency responsible for keeping children safe, helping individuals and families become self-sufficient and providing refuge during disasters. The Division of Family Support administers the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps), Workforce Development (SET for Success), Child Support Enforcement, Disability Determination Services, and federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. The Child Welfare Division manages Child Protection Investigations, Family Services, Foster Care and Adoption Services. Through its Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response, DCFS supports the state's disaster response and recovery functions that involve evacuation, sheltering, emergency food assistance and human services. For more information, visit www.dcfs.la.gov.

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SNAP Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English.  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at:

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (833) 620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to:

Mail:

Food and Nutrition Service, USDA

1320 Braddock Place, Room 334

Alexandria, VA 22314; or

Fax:

(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

Email:

FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.