Five federal program changes take effect Thursday, Oct. 1, touching Sandy Springs residents who rely on food assistance, college financial aid, Medicare, veterans' benefits or housing vouchers.
The start of the government's fiscal year 2027 brings adjusted SNAP benefits, a revamped FAFSA form, Medicare provider rate increases, higher veterans' subsistence payments and new housing voucher benchmarks.
SNAP benefits rise, but fewer Georgians qualify
Maximum monthly SNAP benefits will increase Thursday. A one-person household can receive up to $306, and a family of four up to $1,023, according to a USDA cost-of-living memorandum signed in August by Acting Associate Administrator Ronald Ward. The minimum benefit for one- and two-person households rises to $25.
The higher amounts come alongside tighter eligibility. A Republican-backed budget law raised the work-requirement age ceiling from 54 to 64 for adults without dependents and narrowed the caregiver exemption to cover only children younger than 14, down from 18. SNAP participation in Georgia fell by 282,948 people between July 2025 and June 2026, a 19.13% drop, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, as reported by Patch.
Nationally, about 5 million Americans, including more than 1.5 million children, have lost SNAP assistance since the law took effect, the center said.
States must also now cover 75% of SNAP administrative costs, up from 50%. States with higher payment-error rates will eventually owe 5% to 15% of benefit costs as well.
Sandy Springs' Community Assistance Center (CAC), which helps roughly 9,500 people a year and saved 1,030 families from eviction in 2024, has prepared for surges in demand before. In October 2025, when a federal shutdown threatened SNAP funding, CEO Francis K. Horton III said the organization was "increasing our food stock in our two mini-market food pantries in anticipation of an increased demand by as much as 30 percent."
Residents who need food assistance can also reach Solidarity Sandy Springs at 6315 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs Plaza. Call or text 770-882-7209 for hours and emergency help. CAC can be reached at 770-552-4889.
FAFSA launches updated form
The 2027-28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) fully launches Thursday, Oct. 1, though students can already complete it during an open testing period. The updated form lets applicants use a QR code to invite a parent or spouse to contribute information, and it can be reviewed and signed on a single page.
Georgia does not set a single statewide FAFSA deadline. Students should check with their college for priority dates and apply at studentaid.gov as soon as possible after Oct. 1.
Medicare provider rates tick up
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will raise inpatient hospital payment rates 2.3%, skilled nursing facility rates 2.4%, and hospice and long-term care hospital rates 2.3% starting Thursday.
Veterans see 3% subsistence increase
Monthly subsistence payments for Georgia veterans in the VA's Veteran Readiness and Employment program (Chapter 31) rise 3% on Thursday, Oct. 1, based on the Consumer Price Index. The maximum monthly rate reaches $3,542.47 for full-time enrollment with maximum dependents. The allowance helps cover living expenses during school or job training.
Housing voucher limits reset
New Fair Market Rents from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) take effect Thursday. For a two-bedroom apartment in the Atlanta metro area, the range runs from $1,000 to $2,640. These figures set the baseline for Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) payment standards but do not cap what private landlords may charge. Local housing agencies can adjust their payment standards above or below HUD's benchmark. Sandy Springs-area voucher holders should contact the Fulton County Housing Authority for their specific payment standard.
