At the onset of the pandemic, the federal government modified the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) to increase benefits for low-income households.
This emergency increase led to an average monthly increase of about $95 for most recipients in the past three years.
However, 35 states are scheduled to decrease benefits starting on March 1st, as the so-called emergency allotments that boosted benefits at the start of the pandemic have come to an end.
Some states have already terminated their emergency allotments, citing the improving economy. This reduction in benefits will impact roughly 41.5 million Americans, as per the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Food stamps are a form of government assistance program designed to provide food assistance to low-income households in the United States. The program is officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Eligible households can receive a certain amount of money on a monthly basis, which can be used to purchase food items at participating grocery stores and retailers. The amount of assistance provided is determined based on household income, size, and other factors. The program aims to help individuals and families who are struggling with food insecurity, hunger, and poverty.
According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an average of 42.1 million people participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, each month in the fiscal year 2020.
This represents approximately 13% of the U.S. population. The number of people who use food stamps can vary over time based on economic conditions, changes in eligibility requirements, and other factors.
After EA-boosted SNAP payments are received by the recipients in these regions for February, the payments will return to their regular pre-pandemic amounts from March onwards. The Department of Human Services (DHS) of the state advises individuals to make use of all the resources they are eligible for.
Read the full story:: 35 States to Cut Food Stamps
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