What’s Happening with Food Stamps: A Quick Guide to Recent Changes

Many families in the United States rely on programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), often called food stamps, to help put food on the table. It’s a big topic, and understanding what’s happening with food stamps right now can be a bit tricky because some important changes have taken place recently. This article will break down the latest updates so you can understand them better.

The End of Extra Benefits

What’s one of the biggest changes recently affecting food stamp recipients? The extra emergency food stamp benefits that were given during the COVID-19 pandemic have ended for everyone. For a few years, many families received additional money each month on their EBT cards to help during the tough times of the pandemic. However, these “emergency allotments” officially stopped for all states in March 2023, which means people are now back to receiving their regular benefit amounts.

Emergency Allotments Are Over

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government gave states permission to offer extra SNAP benefits, known as emergency allotments. These were extra funds added to people’s regular monthly food stamp amount. This helped many families deal with job losses, sickness, and higher food prices during a really difficult time.

However, these extra benefits were temporary.

• They were meant to last only during the public health emergency.
• States slowly started ending them, but a federal law passed in late 2022 set a final end date for all states.
• The very last emergency allotments were issued in March 2023, meaning everyone’s benefits went back to normal after that.

For many households, this meant a sudden and noticeable drop in the amount of money they had for groceries each month. It could be hundreds of dollars less, which is a big deal when you’re trying to feed your family.

Many organizations are trying to help people adjust to these lower benefit amounts by sharing resources like food banks or other community programs. It’s a challenging time for many families who relied on that extra help.

Work Requirements Are Shifting

For a long time, there have been rules about work requirements for some adults receiving food stamps. Generally, if you’re an adult between 18 and 50 who doesn’t have children in your household and isn’t disabled, you might be limited to how long you can get benefits unless you’re working or participating in a work training program. This is often called the ABAWD rule, which stands for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents.

Recently, new changes were made to these work rules as part of a budget law. The age limit for these specific work requirements is slowly increasing.

1. Starting September 1, 2023, the age limit for ABAWD work rules increased to 52 years old.
2. Then, on October 1, 2023, it went up to 54 years old.
3. Finally, by October 1, 2024, it will go up to 56 years old.
4. This means more older adults without dependents might need to meet work requirements to get SNAP benefits.

It’s important to remember that not everyone has to meet these rules. There are many exemptions. For example, people with disabilities, pregnant individuals, or those with children under 18 in their household usually don’t have to meet these work requirements. There are also exceptions for homeless individuals, veterans, and young people aging out of foster care.

These changes are meant to encourage more people to work, but critics worry they might make it harder for some vulnerable adults to access the food they need. It’s important for people to check with their local SNAP office if they have questions about how these rules apply to them.

What’s the Average Benefit Amount Now?

With the emergency allotments gone, people want to know what a “normal” food stamp benefit looks like. The exact amount of SNAP benefits a household gets depends on several things, like their income, household size, and certain expenses (like rent or utilities).

Since the end of emergency benefits, the average monthly SNAP benefit per person has decreased significantly. Here’s a general idea of how it looked before and after the emergency allotments ended (these are averages and can vary greatly):

The maximum benefits for a household are set each year and depend on the household size. For example, a single person might get a maximum of around $291 per month, while a family of four could receive up to about $973. However, most households don’t receive the maximum because their income is taken into account.

The amount of food stamp benefits is based on something called the “Thrifty Food Plan,” which is the USDA’s low-cost model for a nutritious diet. This plan is updated each year to reflect changes in food prices, so benefit amounts can go up slightly to keep pace with inflation, but not usually enough to make up for the end of the emergency boost.

Online Grocery Shopping with SNAP

One positive development for food stamp recipients over the past few years has been the expansion of online grocery shopping. Before, you could only use your EBT card to buy food in person at a grocery store. Now, many major retailers allow you to use your SNAP benefits to order groceries online for pickup or delivery.

This has made it much easier for people who might have trouble getting to a store, like those without transportation, people with disabilities, or parents with young children at home. It also allows for more price comparison and convenience, just like for any other shopper.

Many large stores and online services now accept EBT for online purchases.

• Amazon
• Walmart
• Target (in some areas)
• Aldi (via Instacart or their own delivery service in some regions)
• Local grocery chains (check their website or app)

It’s important to know that while you can use your EBT card for the food items, you usually cannot use it to pay for delivery fees or service charges. You would need to use a different payment method for those extra costs. This is something to consider when deciding if online grocery shopping is the best option for your family.

State-Specific Differences

Even though SNAP is a federal program, each state’s agency manages it. This means there can be slight differences in how the program runs from one state to another, which can sometimes be confusing. For example, the specific forms you fill out, the length of time it takes to process an application, or even some local rules about interviews might vary. Some states are also known for having different rules around assets (how much money or property you can own and still qualify).

States also have some flexibility when it comes to work requirements. For instance, a state might apply for a waiver to temporarily pause or reduce the work requirements for certain areas or groups of people if unemployment is very high. This means that while federal laws set the main guidelines, your specific experience with food stamps can be influenced by where you live.

It’s really important to look up the rules for your specific state. You can usually find this information by searching for “[Your State Name] SNAP” or by visiting the website of your state’s social services or human services department. They will have the most accurate and up-to-date information for your area.

These state-level differences can impact how easily people can apply, how quickly they get approved, and what specific rules they need to follow to keep their benefits. Always make sure you’re getting information directly from your state’s official SNAP program.

Focus on Food Insecurity

Food insecurity means not having enough reliable access to affordable, nutritious food. When food stamp benefits decrease or rules become stricter, there’s a real worry that food insecurity could increase for many families. This is a big concern for people who advocate for anti-hunger programs.

When families have less money for groceries, they might have to buy cheaper, less healthy foods, or even skip meals. This can have serious effects on people’s health, especially for children. Kids who don’t get enough to eat can have trouble concentrating in school and may face more health problems.

Because of these concerns, food banks, pantries, and other community organizations are playing an even bigger role now. They are working hard to fill the gap left by the reduction in SNAP benefits. Many communities are trying to find new ways to support families who are struggling to afford enough food.

How to Apply and Get Help

If you or someone you know needs help affording food, applying for SNAP is a good first step. The application process is generally handled through your state’s social services or human services department. You can usually find their website and application portal by searching for “[Your State Name] SNAP application” online.

When you apply, you’ll need to provide information about your household, income, and expenses.

• Proof of identity for all household members
• Proof of income (pay stubs, unemployment letters)
• Proof of expenses (rent receipts, utility bills, child care costs)
• Information about any resources you own (like bank accounts)

After you submit your application, you’ll usually have an interview, either in person or over the phone, with a caseworker. They will go over your information and determine if you qualify and for how much. It’s important to provide all requested documents and answer truthfully to avoid delays.

Even if you’re not eligible for SNAP or while you’re waiting for approval, there are other places to get help. Local food banks and pantries are great resources for free food. Programs like WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) offer food assistance for pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. Don’t be afraid to reach out for assistance if you need it!

Understanding these changes is key for anyone affected by food stamps or those who want to help support their community. While some changes might make it tougher for certain families, knowing what’s happening can help people find the right resources and support to ensure everyone has access to healthy food.