Millions of Americans collecting food stamp benefits will see even more this week.
35 states have decided they will be sending their SNAP beneficiary residents extra food stamps for the month of January.
Extra emergency benefits are going to households that receive close to the maximum, or the maximum benefits.
The maximum amount a family of 4 will receive in New York is $835. They could see an extra $95 in emergency food stamps.
6 states that take SNAP at restaurants
Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Jan. 11 that the extra food stamps would go out this month.
New Yorkers not receiving the maximum will instead get the max, while those already collecting the max will get $95.
Individuals outside of New York City will see their benefits between Jan. 12 and Jan. 21, while those in the City will see them between Jan. 15 and 31.
Using SNAP benefits on Amazon
Emergency food stamps
The emergency food stamps are funded from the USDA. They gave the SNAP program an extra $1 billion in April of last year.
The funding was aimed to help those already in the program with being able to afford food during the pandemic.
The pandemic caused inflation and job loss. This hurt a lot of people’s access to food for their families.
The extra $95 was set to end Sept. 30, 2021.
Some states still chose to offer emergency food stamps to their residents past that.
This month, 36 states have given their residents extra benefits.
Food stamps: What can you spend them on?
36 states offering additional SNAP benefits
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- Ohio
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- New Jersey
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Who can get food stamps?
The average amount of SNAP benefits for each household in 2021 was $210.07.
Eligibility depends on your state.
While SNAP is funded by the government, it’s run by individual states.
To see if you qualify, check with your local SNAP office.
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