New Jersey residents who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be eligible for higher maximum monthly benefits beginning October 1, as the federal government increases the monthly allotments in New Jersey and nearly every other state.

The increase is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual cost-of-living adjustment for SNAP, the federal food assistance program that helps low-income households pay for groceries.

Under the new 2027 SNAP allotments, a household of one will be eligible for a maximum monthly benefit of $306, an increase of $8. A two-person household will have a maximum of $562, up $16, while a three-person household will see its maximum increase by $23 to $808.

The maximum benefit for a four-person household will rise by $29 to $1,023 per month.

The new maximum amounts are:

One person: $306, up $8
Two people: $562, up $16
Three people: $808, up $23
Four people: $1,023, up $29
Five people: $1,217, up $34
Six people: $1,463, up $42
Seven people: $1,616, up $45
Eight people: $1,841, up $52

Households with nine to 17 members will receive an additional $225 per month for each additional person. The maximum monthly benefit for a household of 18 or more people will be $3,887.

The maximum benefit, however, is not necessarily the amount every SNAP recipient will receive. Actual benefits depend on factors including household income, size and certain allowable expenses.

SNAP benefits are now distributed through electronic benefit transfer cards and can be used to purchase eligible food items at participating retailers.