Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis it has caused, a lot of families are facing food insecurity. In response to this, the federal government has provided extra food stamp benefits, called emergency allotments, to help people buy food. These emergency allotments have been in place since the start of the pandemic, but in June 2023, the USDA announced that the emergency allotments will end. This means that families will receive less money for food stamps starting in July. Some members of Congress are working on a bill that would extend the emergency allotments, but it is unclear if the bill will pass.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Emergency Allotments
The federal government has provided emergency allotments of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to help low-income households meet their food needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. These emergency allotments were initially authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act in March 2020 and have been extended several times since then.
The emergency allotments are a temporary increase in the amount of SNAP benefits that households receive each month. The amount of the emergency allotment varies depending on the household’s size and income. Households that are eligible for SNAP and receive the emergency allotment will see an increase in their benefits of at least $95 per month. Please note that the emergency allotments are not a permanent increase to SNAP benefits.
Emergency Allotments Are Ending in June 2023
The federal government has announced that the emergency SNAP allotments will end in June 2023. This means that SNAP households will receive their last emergency allotment in March 2023. After that, SNAP benefits will return to the pre-pandemic levels.
What This Means for SNAP Households
The end of the emergency SNAP allotments will mean that SNAP households will have less money to spend on food each month. This could make it difficult for families to put food on the table, especially if they are already struggling financially.
How SNAP Households Can Prepare for the End of Emergency Allotments
- Start budgeting now. Track your spending to see where your money is going and identify areas where you can cut back.
- Look for ways to save money on food. This could include buying groceries in bulk, cooking at home instead of eating out, and using coupons.
- Apply for other forms of assistance. If you are eligible, you may be able to get help from other programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) or the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).
How to Apply for SNAP Benefits
To apply for SNAP benefits, you must contact your local SNAP office. You can find the contact information for your local office on the SNAP website.
To be eligible for SNAP benefits, you must meet certain income and asset limits.
| Household Size | Gross Income Limit | Asset Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,340 | $2,000 |
| 2 | $1,795 | $3,250 |
| 3 | $2,250 | $4,500 |
| 4 | $2,705 | $5,750 |
| Each additional person | $455 | $1,000 |
Increased Maximum SNAP Benefits
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, provided a 12.5% emergency allotment increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to recipients. This increase began in October 2020 and is set to expire on September 30, 2023. The increase provided much-needed support to families and individuals facing economic hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there has been no announcement regarding whether this emergency allotment will be extended beyond September 2023.
The maximum SNAP benefit amounts for July 2023, including the emergency allotment increase, are as follows:
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $281 |
| 2 | $516 |
| 3 | $740 |
| 4 | $939 |
| 5 | $1,190 |
| 6 | $1,441 |
| 7 | $1,688 |
| 8 | $1,935 |
| Each additional person | $174 |
It’s important to note that the emergency allotment increase is subject to change or termination at any time. For the latest information, please check with your local SNAP office or visit the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website.
July SNAP Benefits Release Dates
Households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will see an increase in their July benefits, thanks to emergency allotments provided by the federal government. Here are the dates for the release of the extra SNAP benefits in July:
Benefit Release Date by State
| State | Benefit Release Date |
|---|---|
| Alabama | July 15 |
| Alaska | July 13 |
| Arizona | July 14 |
| Arkansas | July 13 |
| California | June 28 – July 31 (staggered) |
| Colorado | July 14 |
| Connecticut | July 12 |
| Delaware | July 13 |
| District of Columbia | July 13 |
| Florida | June 28 – July 15 (staggered) |
| Georgia | July 13 |
| Hawaii | July 15 |
| Idaho | July 13 |
| Illinois | July 14 |
| Indiana | July 14 |
| Iowa | July 13 |
| Kansas | July 13 |
| Kentucky | July 14 |
| Louisiana | July 13 |
| Maine | July 15 |
| Maryland | July 13 |
| Massachusetts | July 13 |
| Michigan | July 14 |
| Minnesota | July 13 |
| Mississippi | July 13 |
| Missouri | July 14 |
| Montana | July 13 |
| Nebraska | July 14 |
| Nevada | July 15 |
| New Hampshire | July 13 |
| New Jersey | July 13 |
| New Mexico | July 13 |
| New York | July 14 |
| North Carolina | July 13 |
| North Dakota | July 13 |
| Ohio | July 14 |
| Oklahoma | July 14 |
| Oregon | July 14 |
| Pennsylvania | July 13 |
| Rhode Island | July 13 |
| South Carolina | July 13 |
| South Dakota | July 14 |
| Tennessee | July 14 |
| Texas | July 14 |
| Utah | July 14 |
| Vermont | July 13 |
| Virginia | July 13 |
| Washington | July 14 |
| West Virginia | July 13 |
| Wisconsin | July 15 |
| Wyoming | July 13 |
Note: The exact date you receive your benefits might vary depending on your state’s processing schedule. Contact your local SNAP office for more information.
State-Specific SNAP Information
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, is a federally funded program that provides food assistance to eligible low-income individuals and families. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and each state has its own agency that administers the program.
In recent years, there have been temporary increases in SNAP benefits due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These increases were initially authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and later extended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The temporary increases were set to expire on June 30, 2023, but some states have elected to end the extra benefits early.
States That Have Ended the Extra SNAP Benefits
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
In these states, SNAP benefits have returned to their pre-pandemic levels. This means that households that were receiving the maximum SNAP benefit of $835 per month for a family of four are now receiving $658 per month.
States That Are Continuing the Extra SNAP Benefits
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- District of Columbia
In these states, SNAP benefits will continue to be issued at the increased levels through at least September 2023, after which the extra benefits will expire.
| State | Pre-Pandemic Benefit | Pandemic Benefit | Current Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $658 | $835 | $658 |
| California | $658 | $835 | $835 |
| New York | $658 | $835 | $835 |
| Texas | $658 | $835 | $658 |
To learn more about SNAP benefits in your state, you can contact your local SNAP office or visit the USDA’s website.
And that’s all I got! Let’s hope that the extra benefits continue past July. I know a lot of people are counting on them to make ends meet. Thanks for sticking with me through this article. If you have any questions or just want to chat, feel free to drop a comment below. I’ll do my best to get back to you. In the meantime, stay safe and keep your head up. I’ll be back soon with more updates, so be sure to check back.