Food stamps are a type of government assistance that helps people buy food. They are distributed through a program called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The amount of food stamps a person receives depends on their income and household size. Usually, people get food stamps every month, but there are times when the government gives out extra food stamps. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as a natural disaster or a economic crisis. When the government gives out extra food stamps, it is usually announced in advance. People can find out if they are eligible for extra food stamps by contacting their local SNAP office.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Emergency Allotments
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government has approved additional assistance for SNAP recipients. This supplemental assistance is referred to as SNAP emergency allotments.
Temporary Increase in SNAP Benefits
- SNAP households have received at least $95 in additional benefits each month from January 2021 to September 2023.
- Temporary emergency allotments ended in all states for February 2023 except the following:
- Arizona
- California
- Hawaii
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Washington
- West Virginia
- The USDA has approved a 12.5% across-the-board increase in permanent SNAP benefit amounts starting March 1, 2023.
How are SNAP Emergency Allotments Calculated?
The amount of emergency SNAP benefits a household receives is based on the number of people in the household and the state’s maximum SNAP benefit amount.
When Will SNAP Emergency Allotments End?
SNAP emergency allotments will end after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic or when the federal government decides to discontinue them.
Contacting Your Local SNAP Office
- If you need more information about SNAP emergency allotments in your state, you can contact your local SNAP office.
- You can find the contact information for your local SNAP office on the USDA’s website: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/contact-us
SNAP Program Assistance
| SNAP Benefits | Income Limit |
|---|---|
| Up to $185 per month | Under $20,000 per year for a single person |
| Up to $440 per month | Under $30,000 per year for a couple |
| Up to $625 per month | Under $40,000 per year for a family of three |
SNAP Benefits Increase Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government increased SNAP benefits to help families struggling to afford food.
Increased SNAP Benefits
- SNAP benefits were increased by 15% starting in January 2021.
- The increase is temporary and will last until September 2023.
- The average SNAP benefit for a family of four increased by $28 per month.
Eligibility for Increased SNAP Benefits
To be eligible for increased SNAP benefits, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Have a Social Security number
- Meet income and asset limits
How to Apply for Increased SNAP Benefits
To apply for increased SNAP benefits, you can:
- Apply online at the SNAP website
- Call your local SNAP office
- Visit your local SNAP office in person
SNAP Benefit Amounts
The amount of SNAP benefits you receive depends on your household size and income. The following table shows the maximum SNAP benefit amounts for households of different sizes:
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $250 |
| 2 people | $458 |
| 3 people | $658 |
| 4 people | $835 |
| 5 people | $992 |
| 6 people | $1,169 |
| 7 people | $1,348 |
| 8 people | $1,527 |
Temporary Increase in Food Stamp Benefits Comes to an End
The emergency allotments (EA) that increased Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, benefits will expire at the end of February.
These extra benefits, which had been in place since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, provided an average of $281 more per household per month and helped many families struggling during the economic downturn.
As the COVID-19 public health emergency ends, the federal government is required to return to regular SNAP benefit calculations, meaning that most SNAP recipients will see a reduction in their benefits starting in March.
The ending of the EA benefits is expected to have a significant impact on millions of families across the country.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that approximately 42 million individuals will lose an average of $95 in monthly benefits, bringing their average monthly benefit down to $231 per person. This cut in benefits will likely lead to more families struggling to afford enough food, particularly those with children and low incomes.
Here is a state-by-state breakdown of the average SNAP benefits households received in February 2023 and the estimated average benefits they will receive in March 2023:
| State | Average Benefits in February 2023 | Estimated Average Benefits in March 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $446 | $277 |
| Alaska | $557 | $348 |
| Arizona | $402 | $251 |
| Arkansas | $427 | $266 |
| California | $453 | $280 |
| Colorado | $435 | $270 |
| Connecticut | $440 | $273 |
| Delaware | $432 | $268 |
| District of Columbia | $398 | $249 |
| Florida | $375 | $235 |
| Georgia | $422 | $263 |
| Hawaii | $526 | $326 |
| Idaho | $451 | $279 |
| Illinois | $433 | $269 |
| Indiana | $429 | $267 |
| Iowa | $430 | $268 |
| Kansas | $424 | $264 |
| Kentucky | $418 | $261 |
| Louisiana | $384 | $240 |
| Maine | $439 | $272 |
| Maryland | $431 | $268 |
| Massachusetts | $444 | $275 |
| Michigan | $434 | $269 |
| Minnesota | $437 | $271 |
| Mississippi | $365 | $229 |
| Missouri | $419 | $262 |
| Montana | $450 | $278 |
| Nebraska | $426 | $265 |
| Nevada | $403 | $252 |
| New Hampshire | $433 | $269 |
| New Jersey | $432 | $268 |
| New Mexico | $390 | $244 |
| New York | $438 | $272 |
| North Carolina | $409 | $256 |
| North Dakota | $437 | $271 |
| Ohio | $423 | $263 |
| Oklahoma | $408 | $255 |
| Oregon | $434 | $269 |
| Pennsylvania | $428 | $267 |
| Rhode Island | $442 | $274 |
| South Carolina | $405 | $253 |
| South Dakota | $435 | $270 |
| Tennessee | $407 | $254 |
| Texas | $379 | $238 |
| Utah | $445 | $276 |
| Vermont | $443 | $274 |
| Virginia | $425 | $264 |
| Washington | $448 | $277 |
| West Virginia | $416 | $260 |
| Wisconsin | $431 | $268 |
| Wyoming | $449 | $278 |
Current Status of Extra SNAP Benefits
The extra Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, also known as emergency allotments, that have been provided during the COVID-19 pandemic have ended in all states. This means that SNAP households are now receiving their regular benefit amount, which is based on their household size and income.
The end of extra SNAP benefits may pose challenges for some households. However, there are resources available to help those who are struggling to afford food. For example, the USDA offers a variety of nutrition assistance programs, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).
In addition, many states offer their emergency food assistance programs. For more information about these programs, please contact your local SNAP office or visit the USDA website.
Changes During COVID-19 Pandemic
- SNAP households received additional benefits, known as emergency allotments, each month.
- Emergency allotments increased the maximum SNAP benefit amount for all households to the maximum benefit amount for a household of their size.
- Emergency allotments were funded by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the CARES Act, and the American Rescue Plan Act.
End of Emergency Allotments
- Emergency allotments ended in all states as of February 2023.
- SNAP households are now receiving their regular benefit amount, which is based on their household size and income.
- The end of emergency allotments may pose challenges for some households.
| Household Size | Maximum Benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $281 |
| 2 | $516 |
| 3 | $740 |
| 4 | $939 |
| 5 | $1,116 |
| 6 | $1,280 |
| 7 | $1,443 |
| 8 | $1,606 |
Thank y’all for taking the time to read my article about whether there will be extra food stamps this month. I hope I was able to provide you with some helpful information. If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out to me. And be sure to check back later for more updates on this topic. In the meantime, take care and stay safe!