Helping SNAP Recipients Prepare for November 1st Benefit Changes

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, on October 28, 2013 at 11:00 AM

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients will see their monthly benefits decrease beginning on November 1^st. As USDA’s top official in charge of the program, I want to ensure that SNAP recipients know that this change is coming and understand what it means for you and your families.

As you know, the amount of SNAP benefits each eligible household receives depends on many things, such as income, household size and expenses. In addition, SNAP households have been receiving an increased amount of benefits because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), a piece of legislation that provided a temporary boost in benefits to help individuals and families impacted by the economic downturn.

However, the portion of the ARRA legislation that provided these additional benefits ends on October 31. As a result, beginning on November 1, your monthly benefit will decrease. The amount of the decrease depends on your household size.

Assuming no other changes in income, household size, or expenses between October and November, the table below shows the decrease in SNAP benefits in November by household size.

Household Size	Difference
1	-$11
2	-$20
3	-$29
4	-$36
5	-$43
6	-$52
7	-$57
8	-$65
Each additional person	-$8

This change will affect each household. To make sure you get the correct SNAP benefit, give your caseworker information about your household.

As November approaches, I want to remind you of the USDA resources available to help plan and prepare healthy meals at a low cost, including:

• Plan, Compare and Prepare, tips to save money and eat healthier.
• Eat Right When Money’s Tight, tips to help stretch food dollars further.
• The USDA Recipe Box helps people find healthy low cost recipes and create cookbooks and shopping lists.
• 10-Tips Nutrition Series with easy-to-follow tips for a healthy diet.
• ChooseMyPlate.gov to learn more about building a healthy plate.

At USDA, we remain committed to ensuring that low income children and families have access to the critical nutrition assistance programs they need as they get back on their feet. If you are a SNAP recipient and have questions about your case or the change happening on November 1, contact your caseworker immediately or call your State’s information hotline.