SNAP - FY 2015 Cost of Living Adjustments

This memorandum provides the fiscal year (FY) 2015 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 of2008, COLAs are effective as of Oct. 1, 2014.

Attached are FY 2015 COLAs for the 48 contiguous states and D.C., Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. COLAs for Alaska and Hawaii are also included, except for the maximum allotments which will follow under separate cover.

Maximum allotments will increase for the 48 states and D.C., Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For a family of four receiving a maximum allotment, benefits will increase from $632 to $649, an increase of $17. Updates for Alaska and Hawaii will be released later in August as the Food and Nutrition Service will not receive the Thrifty Food Plan for these areas until mid-August.

The shelter cap values increased $12 to $490 for the 48 states and D.C. The shelter cap values for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands also increased. The minimum standard deduction for household sizes 1 through 3 increased to $155 a month for the 48 states and D.C. Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands also experienced minimal increases in their standard deduction amounts.

Regional offices should ensure that their states are apprised of these changes. State agencies with questions regarding these adjustments should contact their respective regional office representatives.

Lizbeth Silbermann
Director
Program Development Division

Attachment

• SNAP COLA Chart Oct. 1, 2014 to Sept. 30,2015