SNAP Benefits 2026 Update: What the Latest Rules and Payments Mean for Families
Introduction The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, helps millions of low-income families buy nutritious food each month through EBT cards. In fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026), families are seeing a mix of modest benefit increases from the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) and significant policy changes from recent federal legislation like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) of 2025. These updates include higher maximum allotments, expanded work requirements, restrictions on …