If you receive SNAP benefits here in Kentucky, there’s an important update you’ll want to be aware of as we head into October.
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services is reminding SNAP recipients that benefit amounts will change beginning October 1st, 2026, as part of the program’s annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment, or COLA.
This is a routine yearly adjustment to SNAP benefit amounts, but it does mean the amount deposited to your household could be different beginning next month.
The exact amount of SNAP benefits a household receives depends on several factors, including the number of people in the household, household income, and allowable expenses. So, the change will not necessarily be the same for everyone receiving SNAP.
And there is an important point for current recipients: you do not need to take any action because of this particular update.
The Cabinet says you should simply continue doing what you normally do with your SNAP benefits. That means completing your regular recertification when it’s due and continuing to report changes in your household circumstances when you’re required to do so.
So, if you’re a SNAP recipient and you notice that your monthly benefit amount is different beginning in October, that change may be the result of the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment.
Again, SNAP benefit amounts will be updated beginning October 1st, and your new monthly amount will depend on your household’s individual circumstances, including household size, income and allowable expenses.
No special application or action is required for the COLA update itself.
If you have questions about SNAP benefits, eligibility, or your individual case, more information is available through the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Community Based Services.
You can find that information online at chfs.ky.gov. And remember: continue to complete your regular recertifications and report changes when required.
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If you’re a farmer in Carter County, there are a couple of opportunities coming up to learn more about a program that could provide some valuable assistance for your agricultural operation.
The Carter County Conservation District is getting ready to hold its annual CAIP Informational Meetings, giving local farmers a chance to learn more about the County Agricultural Investment Program, commonly known as CAIP.
And this year, organizers are offering two different meeting dates to make it a little easier for farmers to find a time that works.
The first meeting will be held Monday, September 28th, at 5 o’clock in the evening.
If that evening doesn’t work for you, there’s another opportunity on Saturday, October 3rd, at 9 o’clock in the morning.
Both meetings will be held at the Carter County Extension Office, located at 94 Fairground Drive in Grayson.
The informational meetings are designed to help local farmers learn more about CAIP, including the program and what they need to know to participate.
There is an important requirement to keep in mind: you must have a Carter County farm number in order to participate.
The Conservation District also points out that attendance at this meeting does not count as an educational credit, so the purpose here is specifically to provide information about the County Agricultural Investment Program and help farmers understand what’s available.
Whether you’re already familiar with CAIP or you’ve never participated before, this is a good opportunity to get the information directly from the Carter County Conservation District and ask questions about the program.
Again, there are two opportunities to attend.
The first is Monday, September 28th, at 5 PM, and the second is Saturday, October 3rd, at 9 AM.
Both meetings will be at 94 Fairground Drive in Grayson.
If you need additional information, you can contact the Carter County Conservation District at 606-898-2619. You can also reach them by email at carterconservationdistrict@gmail.com.
So, if you’re a Carter County farmer and want to learn more about the County Agricultural Investment Program, mark one of those two dates on your calendar and plan to attend the CAIP informational meeting that’s most convenient for you.