The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers monthly benefits to low-income families, calculated to help cover the cost of a nutritious, affordable diet. These amounts are based on the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), corrected annually to reflect the cost of living (known as COLA increment).
For fiscal year 2025, the maximum benefits have been updated and represent invaluable help for millions of American households. These so-called “food stamps” are designed so that lower-income families stay away from food risk, and can buy nutritious food throughout the year. SNAP benefits can be used to purchase a variety of food items to prepare and eat at home.
What can I buy with food stamps in the United States?
Eligible products include fruits, vegetables, bread, cereals, meat, poultry, dairy, and non-alcoholic beverages. They also cover seeds and plants for growing food. However, SNAP cannot be used to buy alcohol, tobacco, household supplies, or prepared hot meals.
Remember that using your EBT card or food stamps in a wrongful or forbidden way could end up in the termination of the allotments, while you and your household could be removed from the program as qualifying beneficiaries. As well as the aforementioned items, pet food and medications are not permitted as well. You better consider checking with your local SNAP office to know the final list of allowed products.
Maximum monthly SNAP benefits for 2025 with COLA increase
Like Social Security benefits, food stamps are also updated with an increase that accompanies inflation, so that families do not lose purchasing power in the face of inflation. Now, we show you what the maximum and average benefits are, depending on the size of the home:
1 Person household:
- Maximum monthly benefit: $292
- Estimated average profit: $199
2 People Household:
- Maximum monthly benefit: $536
- Estimated average profit: $364
3 People Household:
- Maximum monthly benefit: $768
- Estimated average profit: $594
4 People Household:
- Maximum monthly benefit: $975
- Estimated average profit: $726
5 People Household:
- Maximum monthly benefit: $1,158
- Estimated average profit: $845
6 People Household:
- Maximum monthly benefit: $1,390
- Estimated average profit: $1,018
7 People Household:
- Maximum monthly benefit: $1,536
- Estimated average profit: $1,116
8 People Household:
- Maximum monthly benefit: $1,756
- Estimated average profit: $1,317
Each additional person:
- Maximum monthly benefit: $220
- Estimated average profit: Not applicable
How are SNAP benefits calculated?
SNAP assumes that families spend 30% of their net income on food. Therefore, families with no net income receive the maximum benefit based on household size. In contrast, for those with net income, the monthly SNAP amount is determined by subtracting 30% of your net income from the maximum benefit for your household size.
The USDA significantly updated the TFP in 2021, increasing benefits and improving families’ ability to purchase healthy foods. This policy has continued to benefit households in 2025, providing adjusted amounts to ensure access to basic foodstuffs amid inflation.