OLGT 2023-64: SNAP: Annual Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) and Standard Utility Allowances Change

At the beginning of each Federal fiscal year, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) adjusts SNAP income standards, deduction amounts, and maximum benefit levels to reflect changes in the cost of living. This is known as the “SNAP COLA.” The Department also recalculates the Standard Utility Allowances (SUAs) every year, per federal rules, and includes the recalculated SUAs with the SNAP COLA. This combined calculation minimizes the frequency of benefit changes communicated to the client and the number of associated notices that a separate recalculation would generate. The SNAP COLA was processed over the weekend of September 17, 2023.