Due to an oversight, many individuals receiving food stamps will get extra benefits this month. The additional funds were part of a temporary pandemic boost that was mistakenly loaded onto cards. The error was discovered after being alerted by banks that manage the cards. Officials are working on retrieving the extra funds, but in the meantime, those who received the additional benefits are being advised to use them immediately as they may be deducted later.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Benefits
The federal government has temporarily increased Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to help families struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase ended in June 2023. Currently, there are no additional SNAP benefits being provided.
TANF Benefits:
- TANF is a program that provides cash assistance to low-income families with children.
- TANF benefits are not automatically increased when SNAP benefits are increased.
- To receive TANF benefits, families must meet certain eligibility requirements, such as having a low income and having at least one child under the age of 18.
For more information on TANF benefits, please visit the Department of Health and Human Services website.
Contact Your Local SNAP Office:
If you have questions about your SNAP benefits, you can contact your local SNAP office. You can find the contact information for your local SNAP office on the USDA website.
| Household Size | Maximum Benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $281 |
| 2 | $516 |
| 3 | $745 |
| 4 | $982 |
| 5 | $1,219 |
| 6 | $1,456 |
| 7 | $1,693 |
| 8 | $1,930 |
Note: These benefit amounts are subject to change. Please visit the USDA website for the most up-to-date information.
Food Stamp Recipients to Receive Additional Assistance
Eligible households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly referred to as food stamps, are set to receive additional benefits temporarily.
Expanded Benefits
- Increased SNAP benefits, also known as emergency allotments, have been extended through September 2023.
- These additional benefits will provide eligible households with a maximum of $95 per month for an individual and $304 per month for a family of four.
- The exact amount of the extra benefits each household receives will depend on their regular SNAP benefit amount and household size.
Eligibility
Households that currently receive SNAP benefits are automatically eligible for the additional benefits.
No Additional Application Required
There is no need to apply separately for the extra benefits. They will be automatically loaded onto recipients’ EBT cards by the end of the month.
Temporary Assistance
The extra benefits are a temporary measure to help families cope with the rising cost of food and other essentials. The program is expected to end in September 2023, or earlier if the federal government declares an end to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $95 |
| 2 | $194 |
| 3 | $281 |
| 4 | $304 |
| 5 | $409 |
| 6 | $504 |
| 7 | $599 |
| 8 | $694 |
Monthly Supplement
Eligible households are set to receive an additional monthly supplement through September 2023. This supplement will add a minimum of $95 to their regular SNAP benefits, depending on their household size and normal allotment.
Additional SNAP Benefits
- The following states have extended the extra monthly supplement through September 2023:
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
| State | Monthly Supplement |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $17 |
| Alaska | $98 |
| Colorado | $108 |
| Connecticut | $116 |
| District of Columbia | $123 |
| Florida | $30 |
| Illinois | $121 |
| Kansas | $75 |
| Maine | $118 |
| New Hampshire | $79 |
Funds to Provide Food Assistance
In response to the ongoing economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been providing additional funding to states to supplement the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. This additional funding is aimed at helping low-income individuals and families meet their food needs during these challenging times.
- The USDA has provided states with a total of $12 billion in additional SNAP funding, which is being distributed to eligible recipients in the form of emergency allotments.
- These emergency allotments are intended to provide temporary assistance to SNAP recipients and help them purchase more food and nutritious items.
- The amount of the emergency allotment varies by state and household size and is typically based on the maximum SNAP benefit amount.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the emergency SNAP allotments, households must meet the following criteria:
- Be enrolled in SNAP or have applied for SNAP and are awaiting approval.
- Live in a state that is participating in the emergency SNAP allotment program.
- Meet the income and asset limits set by the USDA for SNAP eligibility.
How to Apply
To apply for SNAP or to receive the emergency SNAP allotments, individuals and families should contact their local SNAP office or visit the USDA’s SNAP website. Applications can be submitted online, by mail, or in person.
Distribution of Emergency SNAP Allotments
The emergency SNAP allotments are being distributed to eligible recipients in a variety of ways, depending on the state. Some states are issuing the allotments through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, while others are providing paper coupons or direct deposits.
The USDA has encouraged states to distribute the emergency SNAP allotments as quickly as possible to ensure that those in need receive assistance promptly.
Impact of Emergency SNAP Allotments
The emergency SNAP allotments have had a significant impact on food security and nutrition among low-income individuals and families. According to a recent study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the emergency SNAP allotments helped to reduce food insecurity by 30% among children and 20% among adults in households receiving the allotments.
The study also found that the emergency SNAP allotments helped to increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods among SNAP recipients.
| State | Emergency Allotment Amount |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $194 per person |
| Alaska | $797 per person |
| Arizona | $192 per person |
| Arkansas | $190 per person |
| California | $188 per person |
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