October means more to Georgians than pumpkins and pumpkin spice (even though we love pumpkins and pumpkin spice, obviously). There are also some new regulations going into effect on October 1st that you definitely need to know about. Keep scrolling to learn more.
1. Changes to SNAP Benefits in Georgia
Beginning October 1st, Georgians who use SNAP, also commonly known as Food Stamps, will see a little more assistance come through.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Administration states,
This memorandum provides the fiscal year (FY) 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) maximum allotments, income eligibility standards, and deductions. In accordance with the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (“the Act”), the COLAs are effective as of October 1, 2026.
Let us break it down for you. Basically, depending on your family size & where you live exactly, you’ll receive an extra $25-50 to the benefits you already receive. The state of Georgia will also be taking on more of the cost of the SNAP program as the benefits for residents increases.
The maximum allotment for a family of four in the 48 States and D.C., will be $1,023… The minimum benefit for the 48 States and D.C. will increase to $25.
2. Changes to Georgia FAFSA
If you’ve ever filled out FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, with your parents, you know how incredibly stressful it can be.
Well, The 2027-28 FAFSA, which fully launches by Oct. 1, has some changes to help ease the tension. Two big changes:
- this new updated form will have a QR code on it so students can invite a parent or spouse to directly contribute information.
- multiple questions have been re-worded to help applicants understand better
And now, applicants can review and sign the document on one single page.
3. Changes for Medicare Payments to Providers
On October 1st, Medicare payment rates for hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospices and long-term care hospitals are set to increase from between 2.3 – 2.4%.
Atlanta Patch states,
Actual payments vary by provider, and many rural critical-access hospitals operate under a separate Medicare payment system.
How does it affect me? According to Grants For Seniors, “2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D plan information becomes available for comparison October 1, with Open Enrollment beginning October 15.”
Because the 2027 health and drug plan information will be updated by October 1st, recipients will have two weeks to look over the updates before open enrollment begins on October 15th.
4. Veterans’ Subsistence Payments Increase
Beginning on October 1, 2026, Chapter 31 subsistence allowance rate are set to increase by 3%.
The amount of each allowance rate is dependent on the veteran’s work/training/apprenticeship, as well as the number of dependents they have.
The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs states,
Effective 10-01-2026, the maximum monthly rate for Chapter 31 Subsistence Allowance is $3,542.47³.
*This maximum rate was calculated based upon full-time enrollment for a Veteran with the following dependents: spouse, mother, father and 25 children.
5. New Rent Limits
Earlier this September, HUD published their required annual Fair Market Rents for the upcoming fiscal year.
Their publication: ‘Fair Market Rents for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room Occupancy Program, and Other Programs, Fiscal Year 2027‘,
describes the methods used to calculate the FY 2027 FMRs and lists the procedures for public housing agencies (PHAs) to request reevaluations of their FMRs as required by the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA).
You can search up the Fair Market Rent figures in your area on HUD’s FMR Documentation System, here.