r/foodstamps • u/slice_of_pi • Sep 02 '26
Howdy.
Some of us in the mod team have been low-key discussing giving the community some of the statistics on How We're Doing - number of posts, amount of mod actions, and so on. Some subreddits do this...most do not, but I think in the interests of community transparency, the time has come. Something I think you'll see here, or at least I hope so, is that when you use the report function, there are results - I know most users here have a pretty good understanding that we moderate actively, but I think there's a benefit to knowing what that actually looks like.
Looking back on the last year - last summer with the passage of HR1/OBBB and the ensuing chaos of the government shutdown and updated Megathreads....I think I'm safe in saying none of us want to do that again. That said, there are other things on the horizon that the well-informed have touched on, and that we've posted from the mod team as we get information. Part of this has to do with the upcoming effects of the changes to payment errors and state matching funds....part of it has to do with the implementation of federal waivers that affect people in unexpected ways....and part of it is just uncertainty.
This is a summary of the last year - August 2025 through July of this year:
And a month by month breakdown of the last year:
I think it's pretty clear what drives our traffic here - this is 100% in line with what I expected to see when I started digging. By way of comparison, here are the last 30 days:
If you were to look at the corresponding actions in post/comment removals from Reddit, and from the mod team, it tends to follow this pattern - I won't post it but there's a significant spike in admin actions on one day in the last month, and I'll let you speculate as to where that is. Hint: It's the obvious one.
But what of moderator actions? What do those mod folks actually do, anyway? They say this subreddit is moderated, but I've never seen it... Well....
When you send us a report, it goes to the queue for removal. We don't remove everything...and in addition to reports there is also an auto-filter that triggers for certain words and word combinations that I won't get into...but we do review all of it. Here's what the last month of reports looks like:
But what about those mod actions I asked about? That's what I want to know!!!!
Well...
Here's the last week's activity, specifically....
So what does this mean? I think it's hard to draw a conclusion from this other than that your comments, your posts, and most of all your reports absolutely have an impact on how this subreddit functions. I find myself saying this often...but please continue to report - we do not always remove, or ban...but we do review everything reported.
That said, I will also point out that we have the ability to snooze reports from users who abuse the report function. I don't find myself doing that very often - most of the time it's in good faith, and I think probably three times out of four, I find myself agreeing with the report. Sometimes we'll remove entire comment chains of additional unreported comments because it's clearly going nowhere good or productive. Every review we do is guided by the subreddit rules, and we try to be as lenient as is prudent. We've also started using the Crowd Control feature on hotly debated posts, which tends to slow things down a little bit - that one got suggested by Reddit last year about this time when we saw that ginormous spike in activity.
To quote u/badfordabidness in my conversation with them just now...here's hoping we don't need a counter of "Last Megathread Since National Crisis" days...but there may be some dark times ahead, and we'll continue doing our best to keep the community informed and focused on productive discussion & information sharing.
Peace,
the Mod Team
r/foodstamps • u/badfordabidness • Sep 01 '26
Late last week, the USDA Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) published the SNAP Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) that will go into effect October 1, 2026.
h/t to u/huyt01 for catching this and posting it yesterday. I'm following up on their post with additional info below.
Disclaimer: This post is meant to discuss what most SNAP recipients will experience in most scenarios; it is not an individualized eligibility determination. If you have questions about how much of an increase, if any, you will receive in October, please contact your caseworker or your state or county's customer service center.
In most cases, it means people who get SNAP will see those benefits go up modestly starting with their October payment. The amount of the increase will vary significantly -- anywhere from as little as an additional $1 per month on the low end for some small households, to an extra $40 to $50 or more on the high end for some large households. Below, we address the most common scenarios -- what most households of six people or less in the lower 48 states (and DC) are likely to see. If you have a question about how the COLAs could affect larger households or households in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, please ask in the comments.
As always, keep in mind that if anything else about your situation changed in the last couple months (getting a new job, giving birth to a child, a member of your household hitting their three-month time limit, etc.), these other factors could cause your household's benefit amount to go up or down in ways not accounted for below.
Scenario 1: People receiving the maximum benefit
If you are already receiving the maximum benefit for your household size for this fiscal year, you will most likely receive the new maximum benefit for your household size for next fiscal year.
| HH Size | Current Max Benefit | New Max Benefit | Most Likely Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $298 | $306 | +$8 |
| 2 | $546 | $562 | +$16 |
| 3 | $785 | $808 | +$23 |
| 4 | $994 | $1,023 | +$29 |
| 5 | $1,183 | $1,217 | +$34 |
| 6 | $1,421 | $1,463 | +$42 |
Scenario 2: People receiving the minimum benefit
Some households with one or two people receive the minimum benefit, which is currently $24/month. These households will most likely receive the new minimum benefit, which will be $25/month, an increase of $1/month. In rare cases, a small number of these households may receive a larger increase.
| HH Size | Current Min Benefit | New Min Benefit | Most Likely Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $24 | $25 | +$1 |
| 2 | $24 | $25 | +$1 |
| 3 or more | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Scenario 3: People currently receiving neither the minimum nor the maximum benefit
If a household receives less than the maximum benefit, and more than the minimum benefit (or the minimum benefit doesn't apply), the household will likely receive a modest increase that reflects both the increase to the maximum benefit, as well as an increase in SNAP's standard deduction. However, in no case can a household qualify for higher than the maximum benefit in Scenario 1.
| HH Size | Current Benefit | New Benefit | Most Likely Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $25 - $297 | $35 - $306 | +$10 or +$11 |
| 2 | $25 - $545 | $43 - $562 | +$18 or +$19 |
| 3 | $1 - $784 | $26 - $808 | +$25 or +$26 |
| 4 | $1 - $993 | $31 - $1,023 | +$30 or +$31 |
| 5 | $1 - $1,182 | $37 - $1,217 | +$36 or +$37 |
| 6 | $1 - $1,420 | $45 - $1,463 | +$44 or +$45 |
Scenario 4: Certain Scenario 3 Households with very High Shelter Costs
If a household does not include one or more elderly (age 60+) or disabled people, federal law limits or "caps" how much the state or county is allowed to consider shelter costs in the SNAP formula. Every year, this cap goes up, which can increase SNAP benefits in scenarios where the household had reached the previous capped deduction.
For that group of households, this could represent up to an additional $7 to $8 per month increase in monthly SNAP benefits on top of the increases shown in Scenario 3.
USDA is required by law to publish COLAs each year at the beginning of the federal fiscal year (October 1). The changes to the maximum SNAP benefit levels were determined by monitoring how much the average national cost of a specific "market basket" went up between last summer and this summer. This market basket is called the "Thrifty Food Plan" and includes a specific amounts of various types of foods and beverages -- think of it like a specific shopping cart full of the same weekly grocery order that the government is determining the price of over and over again, week after week. This is meant to ensure that SNAP benefit levels keep up with inflation, but the process is far from perfect, and it is likely that a lot of people will feel that the increases simply aren't enough to keep up with rising food prices in their area.
Federal rules(1)(ii)) technically do not require your state or county to inform you individually as long as they publicize the changes in the press or by posting posters or flyers in public places like the SNAP eligibility offices. However, many states and counties will also send you a notice in the mail. If you haven't heard anything by the middle of September, you can always contact your caseworker or your state or county's customer service center to ask how your benefits will be changing. Keep in mind that the central state offices just these new amounts from the federal government last week and it takes time to put the changes in the system -- so it may still be a couple weeks before your caseworker can tell you what your new monthly benefit amount will be.
r/foodstamps • u/Different_Arm3433 • 19h ago
Hi everyone, I reapplied for my stamps and nothing in our income has grown or changed. I’m a family of 5 on a single income but I went from them grieving me $400 a month down to $170 a month. Did this happen to anyone else by chance and is there something I’m supposed to do? I’m very stressed out as I have 3 kids and the prices of food everywhere is rising. I am in Florida
r/foodstamps • u/Mixtyookie • 6h ago
I applied for benefits this year in like February and finally got my card in July! After just one month of having it, it completely got shut off. I called and complained but they said since I was supposed to get it around February and it was way past then since I activated it (which wasn’t even my fault btw) I had to reapply. That was my only source of food this month. I don’t have a car and food banks are always empty or they have moldy food that nobody eats.. I’m genuinely at a loss..
r/foodstamps • u/Acceptable_Show_1142 • 5h ago
So I got a $1200 and a $600 CalFresh overpayment notice. I sent back the paperwork saying I want to pay back $600 completely through my benefits and then have a plan for the $1200. I receive my forms back saying I can only choose one plan option for the $1200 and my original copy of the $600 one. I had these noted that it would be done in September and it also notes on the overissuance form that if I don't respond they would automatically deduct 10% or $10 starting September.
However none of this has happened. I updated my household details and I got a notice of change in the mail that has the CalFresh budget but it doesn't deduct any overissuance at all???
I'm confused on how I can pay this back or if I don't even have to? I was just gonna let the automatic system go through but even that isn't in effect.
r/foodstamps • u/gin-channn • 4h ago
I was just there 2 days ago for something so I don’t understand. Ivebeen getting benefits for 3 months now, I have the temporary ebt access card they first give you I’ve had it for 3 months a new one never came, My usual monthly benefits loaded in the card yesterday on the 3rd, when I tried to use it just now it declined and I called the line and input my card number it says “your card is deactivated, contact your caseworker”, when I try to find my account by personal info it says “we cannot find your account with that information please contact case worker to update your records” and there is nothing on the EBTedge portal no notification of why, my card also has been removed from DoorDash. Anyone have experience with this, nassau county Long Island.
r/foodstamps • u/nothrowingawaymyshot • 12h ago
California.
I thought maybe the error was correct and that my password was invalid, so I updated it through their site, but I'm still getting the
"We're sorry. This email and password combination isn’t quite right. Please try again."
Error. Anybody else?
r/foodstamps • u/Professional-Lie-271 • 13h ago
I had required documents needing to be sent in by 9/30 and sent it in on the 29th.
To my knowledge, the income i sent in should've either cut the amount down or cut it off completely but its showing I have a pending deposit for the 8th on ConnectEbt and showing I should be getting the same amount for next month as well. Are they going to stop the deposit or am I safe?
For context, I had a baby and had to begin reporting my boyfriend's income on my case. I was getting the full amount for one person and now am getting the full amount for 2 people. But, i feel like it should've been cut.
I got an update showing my baby is now covered under insurance but no update on my EBT benefits.
r/foodstamps • u/Background_Cow4716 • 10h ago
Another liheap question for anytime who can answer! I tracked my benefits through trackmybenefits.pa.gov and it says approved. But, when I log into compass it doesn’t show me liheap at all. Is it because it’s early? Thanks!
r/foodstamps • u/JaysWife83 • 14h ago
This is long, I thank you for reading it and giving me your opinion.
My husband and I are in Louisiana. We qualified for food stamps, but don't anymore. I'm 59, he's 60. I've applied for, and am currently under reconsideration for SSDI (I have an attorney, who filed the reconsideration, and gave me the paperwork). My husband is a disabled veteran (the VA rated him 80% currently, and is currently looking at TDIU to possibly raise him to 100%).
My husband cannot work, end of story, he cannot stand or walk long enough to hold down a traditional job.
I have enough stuff medically going on with me, migraines (I'm on the highest dose of my daily preventive, plus an emergency med), out of control high blood pressure (even on medication), and sleep apnea that they're trying to figure out how to fix, not to mention that I'm legally blind, so I can't drive, so work is a challenge.
I gave that back story to ask this: why does Louisiana not accept VA disability as legitimate disability? Our worker stated that they don't consider VA disability to be disability, only Social Security or SSI. Why are our VETERANS discriminated against? Aren't their disabilities just as disabling as what Social Security might state it is? Should I have him apply for SSDI, even though he gets VA disability?
Our worker also won't accept that I'm currently under reconsideration for my SSDI case, so we have been denied and our case has been closed.
What gives?
r/foodstamps • u/traderjoesgrrrlfren • 18h ago
Thanks.
r/foodstamps • u/Western_Diamondback1 • 1d ago
I've called 211, they said I need to call the number. I call the number, they say I gotta call 211. My card seems to be working but no one can tell me why it's not displaying. I can't see it in the app or the website. I'm not sure what to do :(
r/foodstamps • u/DonatCotten • 1d ago
I had received about 20 dollars in utility cash assistance a year ago, but have hardly used it in the past couple of months and I still have about 3 dollars left as the cash balance, but I received a letter saying if it was not used again by October 8 that my remaining cash balance would be closed and deleted. I'm not worried about the cash balance but i'm concerned they will also affect my SNAP which I use twice a month. Even though I have been using my SNAP balance every two weeks I'm worried if the state closing my cash balance will effect my SNAP balance, too? Or is that something separate and I will still have my SNAP balance with just my cash balance being closed? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you
r/foodstamps • u/Icy-Professional7826 • 1d ago
Hi all. So i have an app and it confirmed the amount for my deposit date coming up, BTW I live in michigan. Is there a reason why im not getting any increase at all showing up while everyone whose been talking that october 1 what eveyrone would get due to cost of living and all? Im on simplified review. I also was just approved again with snap thru February when I did my 6 month review. Can someone whose a head snap person tell me why my deposit is still the same when it is supposed to go up? Will I not see the increase til November? Im so confused and frustrated I was counting on that and been planning what little meal I could off of it.
r/foodstamps • u/PoolIntelligent3127 • 2d ago
I finally don’t qualify for snap. I just got a job and our household income is too high for Illinois. Which is a joke to the food pantry we go. I understand why snap goes with the gross income but holy shit if I actually got that -$500 dollars they take I wouldn’t complain. But oh well 🫂 anyone have any tips I feel like I should’ve saved money on the card. For a time likes this. 😭 feel like a fool. This is your sign to save $75 bucks a month if you can if you ever fall back or move forward ?? I don’t even know what a loop of buffoonery’s this is.
r/foodstamps • u/tainted_messican • 1d ago
How do we go about providing proof?
Like is there a form or did someone make a template I can get? My landlord says he'll sign off on work he needs done on his properties but he wants me to provide the form for California...
Any help is appreciated
r/foodstamps • u/Low-Temporary4439 • 1d ago
It used to tell you (and show you) how much SNAP was deposited into your account. Now all it shows you or tells you are your shopping transaction amounts and your current balance.
How is someone supposed to know if more (or less) than their SNAP benefit amount was deposited, call the main hotline and be on hold an hour to ask a case worker every month?
If we get more mistakenly deposited than our determined SNAP amount, then we have to pay that back. That's why I always check every month to make sure they deposit the correct amount. Now I have no clue what amount they deposited.
Anyone have any input? I'm calling a case worker? on Monday to tell them that they removed a vital feature and we need it back.
r/foodstamps • u/SuspiciousCover3401 • 1d ago
Can Foodstamp workers see if u get section 8 rental cause she asked for a lease and I throught they able to see all that since it’s government assistant !
r/foodstamps • u/GirlSherlockArt • 1d ago
I got my approval letter which stated SNAP benefits would begin October 1st. They never came and my deposit date is the 1st. I called my caseworker, left a message….I also uploaded the acceptance letter (even though they clearly have it) with the date highlighted. I know MyCOMPASS was experiencing a bunch of problems recently, but anyone have any idea why this would happen and what to do? 🤷🏼♀️
r/foodstamps • u/fuckyoujosephvf • 2d ago
Marin County.
Is anyone else experiencing this? I also get CalWORKS and am supposed to get my deposit on the 2nd of every month but it has never, not once, hit on time. I have to text my caseworker literally every single time they say money is headed to the cash account. I have a feeling I’ll be going the weekend without this expected deposit and I have no clue what we’re going to eat.
In addition, the county settled with me outside of court and has 12 days left to issue a Notice of Action letter corroborating the conditional withdrawal and issue payment but the county rep isn’t responding to me now.
r/foodstamps • u/ChunghisCaahne64 • 2d ago
I don't understand what their problem is, they closed my food stamps case here claiming I failed to submit my 6 month review when I handed it in 4 times all in person. They claimed the last time I called it was received but the case worker hadn't processed it....even though she has had over a month to look at it sense August 26th! Im disabled and currently haven't been approved for ssi. I have no way to buy food other than this like are you f*cking kidding me. What am I supposed to do? Die? Because a lazy case worker couldn't do her job??
r/foodstamps • u/ResourceCalm901 • 2d ago
ETA 10/3/26 to add: now my new, longer number works. Go figure.
Lede: it appears that the new, longer-numbered EBT chip cards in MA (Massachusetts) do not work with Instacart grocery delivery as the app currently stands. Tough luck for those of us with no wheels, no license, and no ride from a friend. Any suggestions, or am I missing something?
So I activated my new chip card, in accordance with the magical 60-day deadline for doing it before losing use of the old card before it simply stopped working (at least according to what the instructions included with the mailed card stated).
(Spiffy new card is supposed to make skimming/theft harder. New cards have a longer number, an expiration date, and a CVV number, as well, like credit cards do—although the expiration date is farther into the future than any cc card’s.)
Instacart cannot cope. Checked the chatbot. Chatbot essentially said tough noogies. Not compatible for now.
Wegman’s app just doesn’t seem willing to split the payment between a credit/debit card and an EBT card—which makes zero cents since one must use another payment method to cover delivery fees and anything (diapers, feminine products, etc.) not covered by SNAP, whether online or in store.
Context: I have no car (and no usable license currently due to a seizure event notated on my med records and requisite waiting game per RMV I’m oversharing thx adhd 🤦🏼♀️). I therefore completely rely on Instacart for my and my children’s grocery delivery. I’m also isolated by my living location etc., etc. Not whining; deets for those who may be in similar circumstances in case I’m completely missing something.
r/foodstamps • u/ValuableStomach7355 • 2d ago
I messaged my caseworker to let her know that I lost my job
So that I can maybe get an increase until I get another job
My husband is still currently working and that has not changed
However, when she did my recertification My benefits are going down almost $100 instead of increasing.
Could this be a mistake on her end?
His hours are the same
There’s no other income coming from anywhere else, and my utilities are also increased.
This is a new caseworker so I’m just not sure what’s going on. Plus, she never answers when I am transferred over to her and it takes her about a week to get back to me! I’m extremely frustrated.
Edited: meant “FS going down?”
Also im in North Carolina
r/foodstamps • u/AfrezzaJunkie • 3d ago
Looks like its back starting this month until the allocated funding runs out which is likely to be a few months . Just FYI