This memorandum provides the fiscal year (FY) 2016 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) maximum allotments, income eligibility standards, and deductions. Under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, COLAs are effective as of Oct. 1, 2015.
The purpose of this notice is to update for fiscal year 1999 the maximum allotment levels, which are the basis for determining the amount of food stamps which participating households receive and the gross and net income limits for food stamp eligibility.
By this notice, USDA is updating for fiscal year 1999 the maximum food stamp allotments for participating households in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Virgin Islands. These annual adjustments, required by law, take into account changes in the cost of food and statutory adjustments since the amounts were last calculated.