Georgia is providing additional food stamps to help individuals and families struggling financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This extra assistance is called Emergency Allotments (EA). EA is a temporary increase in food stamp benefits authorized by the federal government. Households already receiving food stamps will get the additional benefits automatically loaded onto their EBT cards. Those who are not currently receiving food stamps but believe they may be eligible should apply. The EA program will end when the federal government declares the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency or Congress ends the program.
Georgia SNAP Benefits Increase
The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced an increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for all recipients for the month of March 2023. This increase is part of the federal government’s effort to provide additional food assistance to individuals and families facing financial hardships due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
SNAP Benefits Increase Amount
The amount of the SNAP benefit increase varies depending on the household size. The following table shows the benefit increase for each household size:
| Household Size | Benefit Increase |
|---|---|
| 1 | $95 |
| 2 | $155 |
| 3 | $215 |
| 4 | $275 |
| 5 | $335 |
| 6 | $395 |
| 7 | $455 |
| 8 | $515 |
| 9 | $575 |
| 10 | $635 |
How to Receive the SNAP Benefit Increase
To receive the SNAP benefit increase, you must be an active SNAP recipient in the state of Georgia. The increased benefits will be automatically loaded onto your EBT card on March 10, 2023. You do not need to take any action to receive the increased benefits.
Additional Resources
- For more information about the SNAP program in Georgia, visit the DHS website: https://dfcs.georgia.gov/food-assistance
- To apply for SNAP benefits, you can visit your local DHS office or apply online: https://gateway.ga.gov/access/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2faccess%2f
Georgia Food Assistance Programs
The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) provides several food assistance programs to help low-income individuals and families. These programs include:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Georgia Food Stamps Program
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program
- Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
DHS also provides emergency food assistance through the Nourishing Georgia Families program, which provides food vouchers to families in need.
Food Stamps Emergency Allotments
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government authorized emergency allotments for SNAP benefits. These additional benefits provide extra money to SNAP households to help them afford food during the pandemic.
In Georgia, emergency allotments are provided to all SNAP households that are eligible for the maximum SNAP benefit amount. This means that all SNAP households in Georgia receive an extra bonus benefit of $280 per month in addition to their regular SNAP benefit.
Emergency allotments will continue to be provided in Georgia until September 2023, or until the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, whichever comes first.
Georgia Food Stamps Program
The Georgia Food Stamps Program provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families who meet certain eligibility criteria. To qualify for the Georgia Food Stamps Program, you must:
- Be a resident of Georgia
- Have a gross income that is at or below 130% of the federal poverty level
- Have countable resources that are less than $2,500 for one person or $3,750 for a family of two or more
If you meet these eligibility criteria, you can apply for the Georgia Food Stamps Program online or at your local DHS office.
The amount of food stamps you receive each month depends on your household size and income. The maximum SNAP benefit amount for a household of one person is $250 per month. The maximum SNAP benefit amount for a household of two people is $459 per month. The maximum SNAP benefit amount for a household of three people is $658 per month. The maximum SNAP benefit amount for a household of four people is $835 per month. The maximum SNAP benefit amount for a household of five people is $992 per month.
Food stamps can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers. Authorized retailers include grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and convenience stores.
| Household Size | Gross Income Limit | Countable Resources Limit |
|---|---|---|
| One person | $1,641 | $2,500 |
| Two people | $2,199 | $3,750 |
| Three people | $2,757 | $3,750 |
| Four people | $3,315 | $3,750 |
| Five people | $3,874 | $3,750 |
Pandemic-EBT Benefits
The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program provides additional food assistance to families with children who have been affected by school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The program issues benefits to eligible families on an EBT card, which can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers.
- In Georgia, P-EBT benefits are issued to families with children who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.
For the 2022-2023 school year, P-EBT benefits in Georgia are being issued as follows:
- August 2022: $99 per eligible child
- September 2022: $99 per eligible child
- October 2022: $99 per eligible child
- November 2022: $396 per eligible child
- December 2022: $396 per eligible child
- January 2023: $396 per eligible child
- February 2023: $198 per eligible child
- March 2023: $198 per eligible child
- April 2023: $198 per eligible child
| Month | Benefit Amount per Eligible Child |
|---|---|
| August 2022 | $99 |
| September 2022 | $99 |
| October 2022 | $99 |
| November 2022 | $396 |
| December 2022 | $396 |
| January 2023 | $396 |
| February 2023 | $198 |
| March 2023 | $198 |
| April 2023 | $198 |
Families who are eligible for P-EBT benefits will receive a notice from the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) in the mail. The notice will include information on how to activate the EBT card and how to use it to purchase food.
P-EBT Benefit Amount
The P-EBT benefit amount varies depending on the number of eligible children in a household. The following table shows the maximum benefit amount for each household size:
| Household Size | Maximum Benefit Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 | $125 per month |
| 2 | $250 per month |
| 3 | $375 per month |
| 4 | $500 per month |
| 5 | $625 per month |
| 6 | $750 per month |
| 7 | $875 per month |
| 8 | $1,000 per month |
Additional Notes:
- The P-EBT benefit is issued on an EBT card, which can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers.
- Benefits are not available to households that already receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
- To apply for P-EBT benefits, households must submit an application to their local school district or the Georgia Department of Human Services.
Y’all, that’s all I got for ya on the extra food stamps situation in Georgia this month. I hope you found this article helpful. If you have any other questions, feel free to drop a comment below and I’ll do my best to answer them. In the meantime, be sure to check back later for more updates on this and other important topics. Thanks for reading, y’all!