The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides critical monthly assistance to low-income individuals and families for purchasing essential groceries.
Each year, the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for SNAP is set to reflect changes in inflation, using data from the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
This adjustment helps maintain recipients’ purchasing power as food and living costs rise.
When Will the 2025 COLA Adjustment Take Effect?
For 2025, the COLA for SNAP is expected to be between 2.5% and 3%. This adjustment, once finalized, will take effect on January 1, 2025, as it does annually.
In Texas, SNAP is administered by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), which applies the COLA once it’s officially announced by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA). HHSC will then adjust benefits accordingly, ensuring that Texas recipients see an increase in their monthly benefits starting in January.
What Does the 2025 SNAP Increase Mean for Texas?
The expected 2.5–3% increase in SNAP benefits will raise the maximum monthly benefit modestly for individuals and families, assisting with rising grocery costs.
For example, a family of four with maximum benefits could see their monthly SNAP allotment increase slightly, from $973 to approximately $975.
Though this increase is modest, it’s intended to help counteract inflation and provide recipients with slightly improved purchasing power.
Highest SNAP Benefits in 2025: Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. Territories
States like Alaska consistently receive higher SNAP benefits than the rest of the U.S. due to high living and transportation costs. In Alaska, benefit amounts are adjusted based on three cost tiers:
- Urban Areas: Up to $1,258 for a family of four.
- Rural 1 Areas: Up to $1,693.
- Rural 2 Areas: Up to $1,953.
Other U.S. territories, such as Guam and the Virgin Islands, also receive elevated SNAP benefits due to their unique economic circumstances, but Alaska maintains the highest benefit levels across the U.S. mainland.
What SNAP Benefits Cover
SNAP benefits are designed for food purchases only, covering items such as:
- Meats, dairy, fruits, and vegetables
- Breads and cereals
However, SNAP benefits do not cover non-food items like cleaning supplies, toiletries, pet food, or household goods.
The 2025 COLA increase for SNAP is expected to be modest, with adjustments helping low-income families manage inflation and food costs more effectively. The increase will be implemented by January 1, 2025, and Texas residents can anticipate slight changes to their monthly benefits.
For those in areas with higher living costs, like Alaska, these COLA adjustments ensure recipients receive benefits that better match regional expenses, supporting food security for millions across the country.
