The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as the food stamp program, will have new changes starting Oct. 1, 2026. Although the maximum benefits families can receive to purchase food will increase, states will be responsible for covering 75% of the program’s administra tive costs, up from the current 50%. The additional expense could put greater pressure on state budgets. What does this mean? Here’s what you need to know: Trump administration Nov 19, 2025 What to know about expanded work requirements about to kick in for SNAP Trump administration Nov 9, 2025 Trump administration demands states ‘undo' full SNAP payouts Will SNAP benefits increase in October? The program includes increases to the maximum benefits available to U.S. households participating in SNAP. Keep in mind that this does not mean every family will receive an increase in their monthly benefits. SNAP calculates each household’s benefit amount based on factors including net income, household size and eligible deductions. These are the maximum monthly benefits starting Oct. 1, 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): States will take on higher SNAP costs Starting Oct. 1, states will be responsible for covering 75% of SNAP’s administrative costs, up from the current 50%. According to experts, the change could lead to cuts to the program because of the additional financial burden at the state level. The change was established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Donald Trump in July 2025. The law reduced the federal government’s share of SNAP administrative costs from 50% to 25%, shifting a greater portion of those expenses to the states. For more information about the SNAP food assistance program, click here. What has changed under the Trump administration? The Trump administration’s tax law included the largest cuts to SNAP in the program’s history. An estimated 5 million fewer Americans, including families with children, have stopped receiving monthly food stamp benefits. The law established that people receiving food stamps must work, volunteer or participate in training programs for at least 80 hours a month, or 20 hours a week. Under the new requirements, able-bodied adults without dependents between the ages of 16 and 59 who are able to work and do not have qualifying dependents, and who do not meet the requirement, can receive SNAP benefits for only three months within a 36-month period, unless they qualify for an exemption. ...read more read less