This November, Alaska and Hawaii will issue some of the largest SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) payments in the United States, with maximum benefits for larger families exceeding $3,000.
Due to the 2025 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), SNAP payments are slightly higher this year. Here’s a detailed look at the payment amounts, schedules, and eligibility for recipients in these states.
Alaska SNAP Payments: Maximum Benefits
Alaska will issue all SNAP payments on November 1. Beneficiaries receive different maximum payment amounts depending on where they live—urban, rural 1, or rural 2 areas, with rural 2 recipients receiving the highest payments.
Alaska SNAP Payment Amounts by Family Size
| Household Size | Urban Area | Rural 1 | Rural 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $377 | $481 | $586 |
| 2 People | $692 | $882 | $1,074 |
| 3 People | $991 | $1,263 | $1,538 |
| 4 People | $1,258 | $1,604 | $1,953 |
| 5 People | $1,494 | $1,905 | $2,319 |
| 6 People | $1,793 | $2,287 | $2,783 |
| 7 People | $1,982 | $2,527 | $3,076 |
| 8 People | $2,265 | $2,888 | $3,516 |
| Each Additional Member | $283 | $361 | $440 |
For households of eight in Alaska’s rural 2 areas, the maximum SNAP payment reaches $3,516. This increase in rural areas is intended to offset the high cost of groceries and transportation to remote locations.
Hawaii SNAP Payments in November
Hawaii, unlike Alaska, has two separate SNAP payment dates:
- Last Names A–I: Payment on November 3
- Last Names J–Z: Payment on November 5
Hawaii SNAP Payment Amounts by Family Size
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $517 |
| 2 People | $947 |
| 3 People | $1,361 |
| 4 People | $1,723 |
| 5 People | $2,036 |
| 6 People | $2,440 |
| 7 People | $2,772 |
| 8 People | $3,102 |
| Each Additional Member | $330 |
For Hawaii residents, families with eight members can qualify for up to $3,102 in monthly SNAP benefits.
Comparison of SNAP Benefits in Alaska, Hawaii, and the Contiguous U.S.
While Alaska and Hawaii provide the highest maximum payments due to their unique cost-of-living factors, SNAP benefit amounts in the 48 contiguous states are lower.
| Family Size | 48 Contiguous States | Hawaii Max | Alaska Max (Rural 2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $292 | $517 | $586 |
| 4 People | $975 | $1,723 | $1,953 |
| 8 People | $1,756 | $3,102 | $3,516 |
Factors Affecting SNAP Payment Amounts
The variations in SNAP payments for Alaska, Hawaii, and the rest of the U.S. consider the elevated living expenses in non-contiguous states. As a result, residents in remote or high-cost areas receive more support to cover essential groceries.
The SNAP program aims to provide equitable support, adjusting for regional price differences to ensure families can access nutritious food.
Those eligible for maximum payments include larger households with limited income and high living expenses. For more information on SNAP eligibility, visit the USDA’s official site.
