While 49 states will receive a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) benefit increase in October, Hawaii residents will face a decrease for the second year in a row
Beginning October 1, 2024, some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients will see their food stamps reduced due to changes in the maximum amounts set following the 2025 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). While most states will experience an increase in benefits, Hawaii will be a major exception, with a reduction for the second consecutive year.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed that, despite the COLA, SNAP recipients in Hawaii will receive less financial support. The new maximum amounts that will go into effect are as follows:
- 1 person: $517
- 2 persons: $948
- 3 persons: $1,357
- 4 persons: $1,723
- 5 persons: $2,046
- 6 people: $2,456
- 7 people: $2,714
- 8 people: $3,102
- Each additional person: $388
In contrast, Alaska, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, which also have higher maximum amounts, will continue to receive a COLA increase in October, similar to the adjustment made in 2023.
Increase in the rest of the country
On the other hand, 49 states and territories will receive a COLA increase in October 2024, with payment dates varying by region. Below, you’ll find the benefit distribution dates:
- Alabama: Oct. 4-23
- Alaska: October 1
- Arizona: October 1-13
- Arkansas: October 4 – 13
- California: October 1 to 10
- Colorado: October 1 to 10
- Connecticut: October 1-3
- Delaware: October 2 – 23
- Florida: October 1 – 28
- Georgia: October 5 – 23
- Idaho: October 1 – 10
- Illinois: October 1-10
- Indiana: October 5 – 23
- Iowa: October 1-10
- Kansas: October 1-10
- Kentucky: October 1 – 19
- Louisiana: October 1 to 23
- Maine: October 10-14
- Maryland: October 4 to 23
- Massachusetts: October 1 to 14
- Michigan: October 3 to 21
- Minnesota: October 4 to 13
- Mississippi: October 4 – 21
- Missouri: October 1 to 22
- Montana: October 2 to 6
- Nebraska: October 1 to 5
- Nevada: October 1 to 10
- New Hampshire: October 5
- New Jersey: October 1 to 5
- New Mexico: October 1 to 20
- New York: October 1 to 9
- North Carolina: October 3 – October 21
- North Dakota: October 1
- Ohio: October 2 to 20
- Oklahoma: October 1 to 10
- Oregon: October 1 to 9
- Pennsylvania: during the first 10 business days of October
- Rhode Island: October 1
- South Carolina: October 1 to October 10
- South Dakota: October 10
- Tennessee: October 1 to 20
- Texas: October 1 to 28
- Utah: October 5, 11 and 15
- Vermont: October 1
- Virginia: October 1 to 7
- Washington: October 1 to 20
- West Virginia: October 1 to 9
- Wisconsin: October 1 to 15
- Wyoming: October 1 to 4
- Guam: October 1 to 10
- Puerto Rico: October 4 to 22
- District of Columbia: October 1 to October 10
- U.S. Virgin Islands: October 1
This adjustment is intended to counteract the impact of inflation on the country’s most vulnerable households, although, in the case of Hawaii, the reduction in benefits could aggravate the situation of families who depend on this support to cover their basic needs.