Millions of low-income households will soon receive their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for March, with payments beginning as early as March 1.
Eligible participants will see their funds loaded onto Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards, which can be used at approved grocery stores and retailers. While some states issue payments on the first of the month, others distribute benefits on a staggered schedule throughout March.
MAXIMUM SNAP PAYOUTS BY STATE
The highest SNAP benefit amounts go to recipients in non-contiguous U.S. states and territories, where food costs tend to be higher.
- Alaska: Up to $586 per person
- Hawaii, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands: Up to $376 per person
- 48 contiguous states & D.C.: Up to $292 per person
These benefit limits will remain in place through September 30, when the next cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is expected to take effect. However, actual payments vary based on factors like household size, income, and expenses. On average, recipients in the contiguous U.S. receive about $199 per month.
POTENTIAL SNAP CHANGES ON THE HORIZON
Newly appointed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins is reportedly considering changes to SNAP, specifically targeting how benefits can be spent.
Working alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Rollins is exploring policies that would restrict the purchase of unhealthy foods using SNAP funds.
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“When taxpayers contribute to SNAP, should their money go toward purchasing sugary drinks and highly processed foods for children who need more nutritious options?” Rollins questioned in a recent statement.
While the USDA has historically resisted imposing restrictions on what SNAP recipients can buy, the debate over limiting purchases of junk food has resurfaced multiple times over the years.
WOULD FOOD PURCHASE RESTRICTIONS BE APPROVED?
Under current federal guidelines, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase nearly any food item except alcohol, tobacco, and hot prepared meals. Changing these rules would require Congress to amend the Food and Nutrition Act or for states to receive special waivers.
Attempts to impose restrictions in the past have been met with strong opposition from the food industry. In 2024, major food processing and retail lobbying groups—including companies like Nestlé and Tyson Foods—spent $26.7 million on lobbying efforts, making it difficult for such proposals to gain traction.
Despite these challenges, lawmakers continue to push for potential benefit cuts and restrictions, raising concerns about the future of SNAP assistance.
In related news, one SNAP recipient, a mother of six, recently shared her story of how $6,000 in grocery benefits mysteriously vanished from her EBT card.
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