What Changes on October 1? Five Federal Updates That Could Affect New Hampshire Residents
By The New England Voice Staff|
October 1 marks the beginning of the federal government's 2027 fiscal year. For New Hampshire residents, that date brings updates to several federal programs involving food assistance, college financial aid, health-care providers, veterans and housing assistance.
The start of a new fiscal year does not mean that every federal benefit changes on October 1. Social Security's annual cost-of-living adjustment, Medicare premiums and most federal tax changes generally take effect in January. But the following five updates are tied to the new fiscal year or are scheduled around the same date.
1SNAP benefit limits and eligibility figures will change
The federal government updates Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program figures each year to reflect changes in the cost of living.
Beginning October 1, the maximum monthly SNAP allotment in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., will be $306 for one person, $562 for two people and $1,023 for a household of four. The minimum benefit for qualifying one- and two-person households will be $25.
These are maximum amounts — not a guarantee that every household will receive that much. A family's actual payment depends on income, household size, allowable expenses and eligibility rules. Some households may receive a modest increase, while others could be affected by separate changes to work requirements or eligibility.
States will also assume a larger share of SNAP administrative costs beginning in fiscal year 2027, a change that could place additional pressure on state budgets.
2The 2027–28 FAFSA becomes available
The U.S. Department of Education has said the 2027–28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA, will be available by October 1.
Students use the form to apply for federal grants, work-study opportunities and student loans. Colleges and states may also use FAFSA information when awarding their own assistance.
Families should not wait for the final federal deadline. Individual colleges, scholarship programs and states often have much earlier priority dates, and some funds are limited.
Applications are available through StudentAid.gov.
3Medicare payment rates for some providers will be updated
New Medicare payment rules for hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice providers and certain long-term-care facilities take effect with the new fiscal year.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized a 2.4 percent update for skilled nursing facilities and a 2.3 percent hospice payment update for fiscal year 2027. Payment changes vary by type of facility and participation in federal quality-reporting programs.
These updates apply primarily to what Medicare pays participating providers; they do not mean that every Medicare beneficiary will see an automatic 2.3 or 2.4 percent increase in personal benefits. Medicare premiums and deductibles are handled separately.
4Certain veterans' training allowances may be adjusted
Eligible veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs' Veteran Readiness and Employment program may receive a monthly subsistence allowance while attending education or job training.
Rates are set according to factors including training time, number of dependents and type of program. Veterans should confirm their individual fiscal year 2027 rate directly with the VA rather than assume that every participant will receive the same increase.
Information is available through the VA's Veteran Readiness and Employment program.
5New federal Fair Market Rents take effect
The Department of Housing and Urban Development publishes new Fair Market Rents each fiscal year. These figures estimate the cost of modest rental housing, including utilities, in specific metropolitan areas and counties.
Local housing agencies use the figures when setting payment standards for Housing Choice Vouchers, commonly called Section 8. They are not rent controls and do not limit what a private landlord may charge.
Because the amounts vary substantially across New Hampshire, residents should look up their county or metropolitan area in HUD's Fair Market Rent database or contact their local housing authority.
What New Hampshire residents should do
People who use any of these programs should review notices from the agency administering their benefits, verify deadlines and report requested information promptly. An announced maximum or percentage increase does not necessarily equal the amount an individual household, veteran or provider will receive.
The New England Voice will continue monitoring how the fiscal year 2027 changes are implemented across New England.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, fiscal year 2027 SNAP cost-of-living adjustments
- U.S. Department of Education and Federal Student Aid
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, fiscal year 2027 final payment rules
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents