SNAP Annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)

At the beginning of every federal fiscal year, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS) adjusts maximum SNAP benefits, deductions, and income eligibility standards. These adjustments are known as the “SNAP COLA.” The SNAP COLA is based on changes in the cost of living and takes effect on October 1st of each year.

The standard utility allowances (SUAs) are updated annually to coincide with the COLA.

The annual SNAP COLA was processed during the weekend of September 20, 2025. The new COLA figures will be applied to the entire SNAP caseload. This recalculation will impact benefits beginning in October.

Effective October 1, 2025, the COLA will be as follows:

Gross, Net, and 165 Percent Income Eligibility Standards

The gross, net and 165 percent income eligibility standards will increase.

Shelter Deduction

The maximum shelter deduction (for households without an elderly or disabled member) will increase from $712 to $744.

Standard Deduction

The standard deduction will increase for all households:

AU Size	Old Standard Deduction	New Standard Deduction
1	$204	$209
2	$204	$209
3	$204	$209
4	$217	$223
5	$254	$261
6 or more	$291	$299

Disaster SNAP

The Disaster SNAP Income Eligibility Standards have increased.

Maximum Benefit Levels

The maximum SNAP benefit levels for all household sizes will increase. To reference these changes, please refer to the COLA Standard Amounts link found at the bottom of this page.

Homeless Shelter Deduction

The Homeless Shelter/Utility Deduction will increase to $198.99 (which BEACON will round to $199).

Bay State CAP High Shelter

The Bay State CAP High Shelter value will remain the same at $481.

Minimum Benefit Level

The minimum SNAP benefit level for eligible one- and two-person households will increase to $24.

Standard Utility Allowances (SUAs)

Heating/Cooling SUA increase to $914
Non-heating SUA increase to $556
Phone SUA increase to $64
Bay State CAP SUA increase to $914

Asset Limit

The maximum asset limit for non-categorically eligible households with an elderly and/or disabled member will remain at $4,500. The maximum asset limit for all other households will remain at $3,000.

Reporting Requirement Threshold

The income reporting threshold for Simplified Reporting households at Interim Report (unearned income only) and Change Reporting households during case maintenance will remain at $125.

Impact of COLA Change on SNAP Benefits

Recalculation results indicate that most SNAP households will see an increase in SNAP benefits.

Automatic Update of Active SNAP Households

During the weekend of September 20, 2025, active SNAP households, including Bay State CAP households, will be automatically recalculated using the new COLA standards.

When to Use New Standards

Effective Monday, September 23, 2025, the new COLA standards will be used in all automated SNAP calculations. You must use these standards in any necessary manual calculations.

Eligibility Charts and Issuance Tables

SNAP eligibility charts, issuance tables, standard utility allowance amounts, maximum and minimum benefit amounts, shelter deduction and standard deduction amounts will be updated and posted on the www.mass.gov/dta website for October 1, 2025.

You can also view the new figures by referring to the Helpful Charts and Figures.