Here’s the update on SNAP for February. Emergency allotments were given to SNAP households throughout the outbreak to give them a short-term financial boost.
There are several changes that may affect SNAP household’s benefit amounts over the coming months. The temporary boost to SNAP benefits put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, known as emergency allotments, will end nationwide after the February 2023 issuance. (Photo via https://www.fns.usda.gov/)
All SNAP households receiving less than the maximum benefit may receive EA payments on a monthly basis from state SNAP agencies. As of now, 31 states have finalized the extension of emergency SNAP allotments to February 2023.
As long as there is a state-level emergency proclamation in place and there is a national public health emergency (PHE), states may choose to continue providing monthly emergency allotments. In addition to the District of Columbia and Guam, the following states have received waivers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA):
Alabama
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Washington, D.C.
Guam
Hawaii
Illinois
Kansas
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Hampshire, New
New Jersey
North Mexico
A new York
N. Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Providence, RI
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
North Carolina
Wisconsin
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Based on the latest nutrition science and extensive feedback from our school meal partners, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is proposing updates to the school nutrition standards in a few key areas to give kids the right balance of nutrients for healthy and appealing meals. (Photo via https://www.fns.usda.gov/)
As previously reported by GOBankingRates, the SNAP bump for February will be the final emergency allocations authorized under the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that SNAP recipients in the aforementioned states will see an at least $95 decrease in their monthly payments.
Planning budget food trips in advance will help you be ready for lower SNAP payments by ensuring you don’t exhaust your SNAP benefits before the month is out. You might be eligible for additional benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to lessen some of your monthly financial responsibilities.
SNAP healthy incentive programs encourage people participating in SNAP to purchase healthy foods by providing a coupon, discount, gift card, bonus food item or extra funds. (Photo via https://www.fns.usda.gov/)
The following food items can be purchased using SNAP benefits:
Veggies and fruits
Fish, poultry, and meat
dairy goods
Cereals and bread
Snacks and alcohol-free beverages
plants and seeds that provide food for use by the household
SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase alcoholic drinks, tobacco products, vitamins, prescriptions, dietary supplements, live animals, or other non-food items.
Visit the official USDA pages for Emergency Allotments to learn more, to stay up to speed, and to find out which benefits have been extended in your state.
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