The emergency extended SNAP benefits aim to help households receive maximum benefits depending on the size of the family and those who got maximum benefits can receive $95 as additional.
Through January, 25 states have extended emergency SNAP allotments. EA payments every month are issued by the State SNAP Agencies to all SNAP households whose benefits are less than the maximum. To help address temporary food needs during the pandemic emergency allotments were authorized.
The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) granted waivers to the following states:
- Alabama
- California
- Colorado
- District of Columbia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
The waiver’s release was based on public health emergency declaration by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act. SNAP is adjusted every year for inflation through COLA (cost of living adjustment).
On October 1, 2022, COLA kicked in and will run through September 30, 2023. For the average family of four, an increase of $104 is set to be received. From $835, the maximum benefit for a household with four people is now $939 a month.
Using the SNAP benefits, recipients can purchase the following food items:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy product
- Bread and cereals
- Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
- Seeds and plants, which can produce food
You cannot use the SNAP benefits to buy the following items:
- alcoholic beverages
- tobacco products
- vitamins
- medicines
- supplements
- live animals
- pet foods
- cleaning supplies
- paper products and cosmetics.
For further updates and details be sure to visit the official USDA pages for Emergency Allotments to distinguish which benefits have been extended in your state.
