What actually happened to food stamps in 2023

The federal government ended the emergency increase to food stamps (SNAP) that had been in place since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. That emergency boost added money to every household's monthly benefit — the amount varied by state but was typically $95 to $200 per person per month. When the emergency declaration ended on March 1, 2023, those extra payments stopped. Your base benefit went back to what it was before the pandemic.

This was not a new policy decision made in 2023. Congress had set an end date for the emergency increase years earlier. The Biden administration extended it several times, but the expiration date was always known. When it ended, millions of households saw their monthly SNAP benefit drop overnight.

Separately, some states made changes to their own SNAP rules in 2023 — things like work requirements, income limits, or how they count household resources. These changes vary widely by state and are not federal cuts. Your state's rules depend on what your state legislature and governor decided.

Key Takeaways

  • The emergency pandemic boost to SNAP ended March 1, 2023, and your monthly benefit returned to the standard amount your state calculates based on household size and income.
  • The amount you lost when the emergency ended depends on your state — some households lost $95 per month, others lost $200 or more.
  • Some states changed their own SNAP rules in 2023 or later, such as stricter work requirements or resource limits, which can affect who stays on the program.
  • Your current benefit amount is based on your household income, size, and expenses — if your situation changed, your benefit may have changed for that reason instead of the emergency ending.

How the emergency boost worked and why it ended

When COVID-19 shut down the economy in 2020, Congress passed a law that gave every SNAP household an extra payment each month. The amount was not the same everywhere — it depended on your state's cost of living and how many people were in your household. In some states, a family of four received an extra $600 to $800 per month. In others, it was closer to $400.

This was always meant to be temporary. The law set an end date, though Congress and the White House extended it several times as the pandemic continued. By late 2022, it was clear the emergency declaration would end on March 1, 2023. Advocates asked for another extension, but Congress did not pass one.

When the emergency ended, the extra money stopped. If you were receiving $800 per month in benefits plus a $200 emergency boost, your benefit dropped to $800. You did not lose your SNAP coverage — you lost only the temporary addition.

State-level changes that happened around the same time

Several states made changes to their SNAP programs in 2023 or 2024 that are separate from the federal emergency ending. These changes are state decisions and affect different people depending on the rule.

Common changes include stricter work requirements — rules that say you must work or be in a job training program to stay on SNAP if you are between 16 and 65. Some states tightened these rules or started enforcing them more strictly. Other states changed how they count money or property when deciding if you are income-may be able to access. A few states lowered the income limit itself, meaning households above a certain income no longer may have access to.

These changes are not uniform. What happened in one state did not happen in another. If you want to know whether your state made changes, contact your state's SNAP office or visit its website — the name varies by state (it might be called SNAP, food stamps, TANF, or something else).

How to find out what your current benefit should be

Your SNAP benefit is calculated based on three things: your household size, your gross monthly income, and your allowable expenses (like rent, utilities, and child care). The formula is the same in every state, but the income limits and expense deductions vary.

To find your current benefit amount, log into your state's SNAP portal or call your local SNAP office. You can also ask to speak with a caseworker who can walk through the calculation with you. Bring recent pay stubs, proof of rent or mortgage, and any other income or expense documents.

If your benefit dropped in 2023 and you think it is wrong, ask your caseworker to recalculate it. Sometimes the drop is correct because the emergency ended. Sometimes it is wrong because of a data entry error or because your income or expenses changed and were not updated in the system.

What to do if you lost benefits or your benefit dropped significantly

If your SNAP case closed entirely or your benefit dropped by more than you expected, you have the right to ask why. Contact your state SNAP office and request a detailed explanation of how your benefit was calculated. Ask for it in writing if possible.

If you disagree with the decision, you can request a fair hearing. This is a formal appeal process where you present your case to an independent hearing officer. The rules for requesting a hearing vary by state, but you usually have 30 to 60 days from the date of the notice. Your state SNAP office will tell you how to request one.

You can also contact a legal aid organization in your state if you need help understanding the decision or preparing for a hearing. Many legal aid groups have staff who know SNAP law and can represent you for free if you may have access to based on income.

How the federal benefit formula works now

Without the emergency boost, your SNAP benefit is based on the Thrifty Food Plan, which is the federal government's estimate of the cost of a low-cost but nutritionally adequate diet. The benefit is meant to cover the gap between what a household can afford to spend on food and what the Thrifty Food Plan costs.

The formula is: (Thrifty Food Plan cost for your household size) minus (30 percent of your household's net income) equals your benefit. If you have no income, you get the full Thrifty Food Plan amount. If your income is high enough, you get nothing.

The Thrifty Food Plan amount increases each year with inflation. In 2024, it went up, which means the maximum benefit for each household size also went up. If your income stayed the same, your benefit may have increased slightly. But this annual increase is much smaller than the emergency boost was, so most households still received less in 2024 than they did in 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the government cut food stamps permanently in 2023?

No. The emergency pandemic boost ended, which reduced benefits for millions of households. But the SNAP program itself was not cut. Your base benefit is still calculated the same way. If you still meet income and other requirements, you still receive SNAP — just without the temporary emergency addition.

Can I get the emergency boost back if I reapply?

No. The emergency boost ended for everyone on March 1, 2023, and there is no way to get it back by reapplying or changing your case. If you closed your case and reopen it now, you will receive the standard benefit amount, not the emergency amount.

What if my state made work requirement changes — can I still get SNAP?

It depends on your state's specific rule and your situation. If your state added or tightened work requirements, you may still may have access to if you work, are in school, are caring for a child, are disabled, or fall into another exemption category. Contact your state SNAP office to find out whether you meet the requirement or may have access to for an exemption.

How do I know if my benefit calculation is correct?

Ask your caseworker for a detailed breakdown showing your household size, income, allowable deductions, and the final benefit amount. Compare it to the federal formula: (Thrifty Food Plan for your size) minus (30 percent of net income). If the numbers do not match, ask for a recalculation. If you still disagree, you can request a fair hearing.

Will food stamps go back up in the future?

The emergency boost was a one-time response to the pandemic and is not expected to return. Congress could pass a new law to increase SNAP benefits, but that would require a new vote and is not currently happening. The annual increase tied to inflation will continue, but it is much smaller than the emergency boost was.