When is the Last Month for Extra Food Stamps

Extra food stamps, also known as emergency allotments, are additional benefits provided to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients during emergencies or disasters. The last month for receiving extra food stamps depends on various factors, such as the type of emergency, the state you reside in, and the approval duration set by the federal government. It’s crucial to stay updated with the latest information provided by your local SNAP office or check the official government websites to accurately determine when the extra benefits will end.

Extended SNAP Benefits

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government provided extra SNAP benefits since April 2020, known as emergency allotments, which ended in different states at different times.

Last Month for Extra Food Stamps

The last month for receiving the extra SNAP benefits varies by state. Check the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website or contact your state’s SNAP agency for specific information.

  • For most states, the last month for the extra benefits was February 2023.
  • A few states ended the extra benefits earlier:
    • Arizona: October 2022
    • Florida: February 2022
    • Idaho: January 2023
    • Montana: September 2022
    • Ohio: March 2022
    • West Virginia: September 2022

Households that are no longer receiving the extra SNAP benefits may still be eligible for regular SNAP benefits. Check your eligibility by contacting your state’s SNAP agency or visiting the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website.

SNAP Emergency Allotments end dates by state
State End date
Alabama February 2023
Alaska February 2023
Arizona October 2022
Arkansas February 2023
California February 2023
Colorado February 2023
Connecticut February 2023
Delaware February 2023
District of Columbia February 2023
Florida February 2022
Georgia February 2023
Hawaii February 2023
Idaho January 2023
Illinois February 2023
Indiana February 2023
Iowa February 2023
Kansas February 2023
Kentucky February 2023
Louisiana February 2023
Maine February 2023
Maryland February 2023
Massachusetts February 2023
Michigan February 2023
Minnesota February 2023
Mississippi February 2023
Missouri February 2023
Montana September 2022
Nebraska February 2023
Nevada February 2023
New Hampshire February 2023
New Jersey February 2023
New Mexico February 2023
New York February 2023
North Carolina February 2023
North Dakota February 2023
Ohio March 2022
Oklahoma February 2023
Oregon February 2023
Pennsylvania February 2023
Puerto Rico February 2023
Rhode Island February 2023
South Carolina February 2023
South Dakota February 2023
Tennessee February 2023
Texas February 2023
Utah February 2023
Vermont February 2023
Virginia February 2023
Washington February 2023
West Virginia September 2022
Wisconsin February 2023
Wyoming February 2023

When Can I Expect the Last Month for Extra Food Stamps?

The exact timing for the end of extra food stamps may vary depending on the specific circumstances and the state in which you reside. However, some general information and factors to consider include:

  • Temporary Pandemic Assistance: The federal government provided temporary increases in food stamp benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic through programs like the Pandemic-EBT Program. These additional benefits were intended to support families and individuals facing financial hardships due to the pandemic.
  • End of Public Health Emergency: The declaration of the public health emergency related to COVID-19 has been a key factor in determining the continuation of extra food stamp benefits. Once the public health emergency is officially lifted or expires, it is likely that the additional benefits will be discontinued.
  • State Implementation: The timing and process for ending extra food stamp benefits may vary from state to state. Each state has its own procedures for adjusting benefits based on federal guidelines and local circumstances.

It is important to stay informed about any updates or announcements from your state’s Department of Human Services or the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) office. They will provide information on when the extra food stamp benefits will end and how it will impact your benefits.

Pandemic-EBT Program

The Pandemic-EBT Program was established to provide temporary food assistance to children who were unable to receive free or reduced-price meals due to school closures or disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This program provided benefits on an EBT card, which could be used to purchase food at authorized retailers.

The Pandemic-EBT Program was funded through federal legislation and was implemented by states. The program operated during the 2020-2021 school year and was extended for the 2021-2022 school year in some states. However, the program is set to expire at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

Once the Pandemic-EBT Program expires, families who were receiving these additional benefits will no longer be eligible for them. It is important to note that the regular SNAP benefits will continue to be available to eligible individuals and families, but the extra benefits provided through the Pandemic-EBT Program will no longer be available.

Pandemic-EBT Program Timeline
School Year Program Status
2020-2021 Program implemented in many states
2021-2022 Program extended in some states
2022-2023 Program set to expire at the end of the school year

P-EBT Program

The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) was a temporary program providing additional food assistance to families with children who were eligible for free or reduced-price school meals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The P-EBT program ended in September 2023.

Eligibility

  • Children who were enrolled in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) in the 2020-2021 or 2021-2022 school years.
  • Children who were certified to receive free or reduced-price meals through the NSLP or SBP at any point during the 2020-2021 or 2021-2022 school years.
  • Children who attended a school that participated in the NSLP or SBP in the 2020-2021 or 2021-2022 school years, even if they did not participate in the meal programs themselves.

Benefits

The P-EBT program provided benefits on an EBT card that could be used to purchase food at authorized retailers. The amount of the benefit varied depending on the child’s age and the number of days of school missed due to the pandemic.

P-EBT Program End Date

The P-EBT Program ended in September 2023. This means that no new P-EBT benefits will be issued after September 2023.

State Last Month for Extra Food Stamps
Alabama September 2023
Alaska September 2023
Arizona September 2023
Arkansas September 2023
California September 2023

Changes to SNAP Benefits

Starting in March 2023, the supplemental emergency allotments (SEAs), also known as extra food stamps, provided during the COVID-19 pandemic will be discontinued. This change will affect all SNAP recipients, resulting in a decrease in their monthly benefits.

End of Emergency Allotments

  • February 2023 is the last month SNAP recipients will receive the extra food stamps.
  • The February benefits will be loaded onto recipients’ EBT cards in late February or early March.
  • Starting in March 2023, SNAP benefits will return to pre-pandemic levels.

Impact on SNAP Recipients

  • SNAP recipients will see a decrease in their monthly benefits by the amount of the emergency allotment, typically around $95 per person.
  • Households with multiple SNAP recipients will experience a cumulative reduction in their benefits.
  • SNAP recipients may need to adjust their budgets and seek additional resources to compensate for the loss of emergency allotments.

Additional Resources for SNAP Recipients

Individuals and families facing food insecurity due to the reduction in SNAP benefits may explore the following resources:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): WIC provides nutrition assistance to pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children under five.
  • The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): TEFAP provides emergency food assistance to low-income individuals and families.
  • Local food banks and pantries: Many communities have local food banks and pantries that provide food assistance to individuals and families in need.

Conclusion

The discontinuation of emergency allotments in March 2023 will impact SNAP recipients nationwide. It is important for individuals and families to prepare for the reduction in benefits and explore available resources to ensure continued access to adequate nutrition.

Hey there, folks! I hope this article helped shed some light on when you can expect those extra food stamps to hit your account. Remember, these are temporary measures, so don’t get too used to the extra dough. And while you’re here, why not take a look around our site? We’ve got all sorts of intriguing articles on a wide range of topics. Just click on the links below to start exploring. Thanks for reading, and we hope to see you back here soon!