Food stamp benefits increased Oct. 1 but with the boost comes additional work requirements for some recipients.

Benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, the official name for food stamps, increased by about 3% starting Oct. 1. The year’s changes are based on the Consumer Price Index, or CPI, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for June 2022.

For a family of four, the COLA means benefits of $973 a month, up from the current $939.

Here are the breakdowns of new benefit amounts based on family size from the USDA:

• Household size 1 – $291
• Household size 2 – $535
• Household size 3 – $766
• Household size 4 – $973
• Household size 5 – $1,155
• Household size 6 – $1,386
• Household size 7 – $1,532
• Household size 8 – $1,751

Each additional person adds $219.

Monthly income eligibility changed, too. The new amounts are:

• Household size 1 – $1,580
• Household size 2 – $2,137
• Household size 3 – $2,694
• Household size 4 – $3,250
• Household size 5 – $3,807
• Household size 6 – $4,364
• Household size 7 – $4,921
• Household size 8  – $5,478

Each additional person accounts for $557 in income eligibility.

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New work requirements

New age-based work requirements for SNAP also started Oct. 1.

As of Oct. 1., able-bodied adults without dependents, known as ABAWDs, who are between ages 18-52 must show they are working at least 80 hours a month or enrolled in a training program to receive SNAP benefits. Before Sept. 1, the age range was 18-49; from Sept. 1-Oct. 1, it was 18-50. On Oct. 1, 2024, the age range will increase again, this time to 54.

The new requirements will be in effect through Oct. 1, 2030.

Homeless people, veterans and adults ages 18-24 who have aged out of foster care are exempt from the requirements are those who are unable to work due to a physical or mental limitation, are pregnant, or have someone under 18 in their household. SNAP recipients who don’t meet the work requirements are limited to only three months of benefits in a three-year period.