In Nevada, there might be additional food stamps available this month for some recipients. The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is working to distribute emergency allotments to eligible households. These extra benefits are part of the federal government’s response to the ongoing pandemic. If approved, the emergency allotments will be automatically loaded onto recipients’ Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. For more information and updates, individuals can contact their local DHHS office or visit the Nevada Food Stamps website. Those in need are encouraged to apply for food stamps if they are eligible.
Nevada Pandemic-EBT Program
In response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has provided additional food assistance to families with children who were eligible for free or reduced-price meals during the 2020-2021 school year. This assistance is known as the Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) program.
Pandemic-EBT FAQs
Q: Who is eligible for P-EBT?
- Children who were enrolled in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP) at any time during the 2020-2021 school year.
- Children who were eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the NSLP or SBP at any time during the 2020-2021 school year.
- Children who were attending a school that was closed for at least five consecutive days due to COVID-19 during the 2020-2021 school year.
Q: How much will P-EBT provide?
The amount of P-EBT assistance a child receives will depend on the number of days that their school was closed for in-person learning during the 2020-2021 school year.
| Days School Closed | P-EBT Benefit |
|---|---|
| 5-10 days | $125 |
| 11-20 days | $250 |
| 21-30 days | $375 |
| 31-40 days | $500 |
Q: How will P-EBT be distributed?
P-EBT benefits will be distributed through electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards. Families who are already receiving EBT benefits will receive their P-EBT benefits on the same EBT card. Families who are not currently receiving EBT benefits will receive a new EBT card in the mail.
Q: Can I use my P-EBT card to buy groceries online?
Yes, you can use your P-EBT card to buy groceries online from authorized retailers. To find a list of authorized retailers, visit the USDA’s website.
Q: When will P-EBT benefits be available?
P-EBT benefits are expected to be available in Nevada by the end of August 2021.
Emergency Allotments
The Emergency Allotments (EAs) for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, also known as food stamps, have ended as of September 2023. Here’s what you need to know:
- Increased SNAP Benefits: Starting in April 2020, SNAP benefits were temporarily increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These extra funds, referred to as Emergency Allotments (EAs), provided additional support to households.
- Ending of EAs: As part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, the extra SNAP benefits provided through EAs officially ended on March 2023. This means that SNAP households are now receiving their regular benefit amount.
- Regular SNAP Benefit Amounts: The regular SNAP benefit amounts are determined based on household size, income, and other factors. These amounts vary from state to state, and you can find Nevada’s SNAP benefit chart at the end of this article.
- Applying for SNAP Benefits: If you are not currently receiving SNAP benefits but believe you may qualify, you can apply online or at your local Nevada Department of Social Services office. Visit the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services website for more information.
- The FFCRA increased the maximum SNAP benefit amount for all households by 15%.
- This increase went into effect on January 1, 2021, and was scheduled to expire on June 30, 2021.
- However, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, extended the increased SNAP benefits through September 30, 2021.
- To be eligible for emergency SNAP benefits, households had to meet certain income and asset limits.
- Emergency SNAP benefits were issued in addition to the regular SNAP benefits that a household was receiving.
- Emergency SNAP benefits were also scheduled to expire on June 30, 2021, but were extended through September 30, 2021, by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.
- States were allowed to waive certain application requirements, such as the requirement to provide proof of income and assets.
- States were also allowed to conduct interviews over the phone or online, rather than in person.
- These changes made it easier for people to apply for and receive SNAP benefits during the pandemic.
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Benefit Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $281 |
| 2 people | $459 |
| 3 people | $658 |
| 4 people | $835 |
| 5 people | $1,004 |
| 6 people | $1,169 |
| 7 people | $1,323 |
| 8 people | $1,470 |
Please note that these benefit amounts are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services website.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) is a federal law that provided temporary changes to certain benefit programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the changes made by the FFCRA was to increase the amount of food assistance provided to eligible households through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.
The FFCRA also provided for the issuance of emergency SNAP benefits to households that were not already receiving SNAP benefits.
The FFCRA also made it easier for people to apply for SNAP benefits.
| Benefit | Increase | Expiration Date |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum SNAP benefit amount | 15% | September 30, 2021 |
| Emergency SNAP benefits | N/A | September 30, 2021 |
The FFCRA’s changes to SNAP benefits were a significant help to many families during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increased benefits helped families to put more food on the table, and the easier application process made it easier for people to get the help they needed.
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA)
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) was enacted in March 2021 to provide relief to individuals, families, and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the provisions of ARPA is a temporary increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This increase is available to all SNAP households, regardless of income.
In Nevada, the average SNAP benefit per person is increasing by $28 per month, from $250 to $278. This increase will be in effect from January 2021 through June 2021.
How Much Will I Receive?
The amount of SNAP benefits you receive will depend 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 | $278 |
| 2 | $516 |
| 3 | $754 |
| 4 | $992 |
| 5 | $1,230 |
| 6 | $1,468 |
| 7 | $1,706 |
| 8 | $1,944 |
Households with more than 8 members will receive an additional $238 per person.
To apply for SNAP benefits, you can visit your local SNAP office or apply online at Nevada Department of Health and Human Services website.
Hey there, folks! That’s all I got for you on food stamps this month. I know it’s not the most exciting topic, but it’s important to stay informed, right? Thanks for sticking with me until the end. If you have any more food stamp questions, feel free to drop me a line. I’ll do my best to answer them. In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for more updates. I’ll be back soon with more info and insights. Until then, take care and stay fed!