Extra SNAP benefits
Extra SNAP benefits have been a crucial lifeline for millions of Americans who rely on federal assistance to buy food. An emergency increase to SNAP was approved at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing most recipients with an extra $95 monthly over the past three years. However, starting March 1, those emergency COVID-era benefits will end across all states.
Seventeen states already saw those benefits expire as of January 2023, and the remaining 32 states, plus Washington, D.C., Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, will also see the extra money dry up starting with the March 2023 benefit month according to Kxan.
READ ALSO: Oregon’s Emergency SNAP Will Be Cut Starting March
Changes in Extra SNAP benefits
The end of the extra SNAP benefits will have a significant impact on many households, particularly those with senior and disabled members, as food prices remain high nationwide. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, groceries were about 10% more expensive at the start of January than they were one year prior,
The decrease in SNAP benefits may create an increased demand for charitable organizations across the state and an increased need for individuals to support their local food pantries and food banks. SNAP recipients who also receive Social Security may see their SNAP benefits shrink even more than $95 due to the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2023, which increases households’ incomes and may reduce the amount of SNAP for which they are eligible.
However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service says the changes should still be an overall net gain, as the 8.7% boost in Social Security should make up for the decrease in SNAP benefits. Despite this, many Americans may still struggle to afford food without the extra SNAP benefits, highlighting the ongoing need for comprehensive, long-term solutions to address food insecurity in the United States.
READ ALSO: SNAP Benefits Confidentiality: Can Your Employers Find Out if You’re on a SNAP?
