SNAP monthly benefits and total cost to the government vary by household size, location, and year. Here’s a concise overview based on the latest publicly available data for 2024–2025 ranges.
- What SNAP is and who it covers: SNAP provides monthly food-assistance benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families, with maximum allotments set annually by the USDA. Monthly benefits depend on household size, income, and allowable deductions, and most participants receive less than the maximum.
- Maximum monthly allotments (upper bounds) in the lower 48 states and D.C. for FY 2025:
- 1 person: up to $292
- 2 people: up to $536
- 3 people: up to $768
- 4 people: up to $975
- 5 people: up to $1,200
- 6 people: up to $1,400
- 7 people: up to $1,500
- 8 people: up to $1,800
These are the ceiling amounts; most households receive less, depending on income and other factors. Alaska, Hawaii, and certain territories have different maximums.
- Average benefits per participant: Historically, the average SNAP benefit per participant is around $180–$190 per month in recent years (varies by year and inflation adjustments). In 2024, the average was about $187 per participant per month, with total federal spending around $99–100 billion for the year.
- Total federal cost and fiscal trends: Federal SNAP outlays have been roughly in the range of $100 billion annually in recent years, with high-water marks during the COVID-19 pandemic when benefits were temporarily increased. The exact annual total can vary by enacted legislation and caseload.
- Notable current developments (illustrative): In late 2025 there were news items about temporary funding actions in response to court orders or policy changes that can affect month-by-month funding levels, but the underlying framework remains the monthly benefit structure by household size and maximum allotments published by USDA.
Direct answer:
- If you’re asking “how much does SNAP cost the government per month,” the federal government’s monthly SNAP outlays depend on the size and composition of participating households. As of FY 2025, maximum monthly allotments in the continental United States range from $292 for a single-person household up to $1,800 for an eight-person household, with most participants receiving less than the maximum. The average benefit per participant is roughly $187–$188 per month, and total annual SNAP spending is around $100 billion, implying a monthly federal cost on the order of about $8–9 billion, though actual monthly spending fluctuates with caseloads and policy changes.
