SNAP COLA / Allotment Change Notice — What It Means & What to Do

What This Letter Means

Every year, the federal government adjusts SNAP benefits for inflation. The 2026 COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) is 2.8%, which means maximum SNAP benefits are going up. If you receive the full maximum benefit, you'll see the increase automatically. If you're at a reduced benefit (because of income), you may still see an increase depending on how the calculation works.

2026 SNAP Maximum Benefits (After 2.8% COLA)

Household Size	Maximum Monthly SNAP
1 person	$292
2 people	$536
3 people	$768
4 people	$975
5 people	$1,158
6 people	$1,390
7 people	$1,536
8+ people	$1,756 (plus $175 per additional person)

Your Action Steps

Note the new maximum for your household size (see table above).
Check your next benefit statement. Your benefit should reflect the increase on the next EBT card load or statement.
No action required from you. The increase is automatic.
If your benefit didn't increase, call your state to verify the calculation. There may be a reason (income change, recent recertification, etc.).

COLA increases are usually good news, but here are reasons your benefit might NOT have increased:

Your income also increased: New job, raise, other benefits. Income increases reduce SNAP benefits.
Recent recertification: If you just recertified and were approved at a new, lower amount.
Household size changed: Someone moved in or out, affecting your maximum benefit.
Deductions changed: Changes in rent, childcare, medical expenses, etc.
State policy change: Rare, but your state may have adjusted how benefits are calculated.

If you expected an increase but saw a decrease instead, here's what happened:

Something else changed, not the COLA. The COLA increases maximum benefits, but your personal benefit depends on your income and situation.
Example: You got a raise or new job. The COLA increases the maximum from $292 to $300. But your income is now higher, so your calculated benefit actually went down from $150 to $120. Net result: your benefit went down, even though COLA increased maximums.

What to do:

Request an itemized calculation from your state. Ask them to show you: income, deductions, and how they calculated your benefit.
Identify what changed. Income? Household size? Expenses? Deductions?
If the calculation is wrong, dispute it. Ask for a fair hearing.

Your SNAP benefit is calculated in this order:

Start with gross income (before taxes) from all household members.
Subtract standard deduction ($205 for 2026).
Subtract 20% of earned income. This is a work incentive.
Subtract allowable expenses:
- Rent or mortgage
- Utilities
- Childcare
- Medical expenses (for elderly/disabled only)
Result = Net income.
Multiply net income by 30% (this is the SNAP formula).
Subtract from the maximum benefit for your household size.
Result = Your SNAP allotment.

Example (single person, 2026):

Gross income: $1,000/month
Minus standard deduction: -$205
Minus 20% of earned income: -$200
Minus rent: -$500
Net income: $95
Multiply by 30%: $95 × 0.30 = $28.50
Maximum benefit for 1 person: $292
Your SNAP benefit: $292 - $28.50 = $263.50/month

COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) is critical because food prices go up every year.

2.8% increase in 2026 means SNAP benefits are adjusting for inflation in food costs.
Without COLA, your benefits would stay flat while food prices rise. Over time, you'd lose purchasing power.
With COLA, your benefits keep pace with inflation.
COLA is automatic. Congress doesn't have to act — the increase happens automatically based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Note: Congress can "clawback" COLA increases by reducing income limits or eligibility, but the annual COLA adjustment itself is automatic.

Dr. Ed's Tip

COLA increases are automatic and good news. But here's what to watch for: if your income also increased (new job, raise, other benefits), the COLA increase might be offset by the income change. If your benefit went DOWN despite the COLA, that means something else changed — income, household size, or deductions. Request an itemized calculation to understand what happened. Don't assume the math is right — verify it.