Program offers assistance to families with a special EBT program
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has confirmed additional benefits for this summer of 2024. According to the nutrition program, new payment amounts will be available through a special EBT program. If you qualify for this program or plan to apply for this monthly benefit, here is all the information you need to know about eligibility requirements and new payment amounts.
With the arrival of summer, participating states are launching a unique summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program to support families, especially those with children who rely on free school meals during the academic year. During the months of July through August, this promotion awards a prepaid cardholder an additional $40 per eligible child. The final list of participants will be made public in spring 2024. Several states and tribal entities have already expressed interest in implementing summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT).
How do SNAP benefits work?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly called the Food Stamp Program, is designed to help families and individuals who meet certain income requirements. The amount of SNAP benefits a family receives is based on their income and expenses. According to the Pew Research Center, in November 2022, about 41.9 million Americans, or 12.5% of the nation’s population, were enrolled in the SNAP program, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
These benefits, previously distributed as food stamps, are now delivered through an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card in all 50 states. The EBT card, which is reloaded monthly, works like a debit card at participating stores and can be used to purchase a variety of essential foods, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread and cereal products, as well as non-alcoholic items such as snacks and beverages.
Eligibility Requirements for SNAP Benefits
To be eligible for these benefits, you must meet certain criteria, such as receiving free school lunches, having a household income below 185% of the federal poverty line, being enrolled in programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or SNAP, or having children in Head Start. It is advisable to apply as early as possible to avoid delays, even if there is no specific deadline for doing so. Online applications are available on the appropriate school district’s website.
Although each state has its own payment distribution methods, it is important to remember that SNAP benefits are calculated based on the number of people living in the household. Listed below are the payment levels currently allowed for eligible SNAP participants:
|
Household members |
Maximum annual income level |
|
1 |
$30,120 |
|
2 |
$40,880 |
|
3 |
$51,640 |
|
4 |
$62,400 |
|
5 |
$73,160 |
|
6 |
$83,920 |
|
7 |
$94,680 |
|
8 |
$105,440 |
SNAP benefits could undergo permanent changes
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a new law, the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024, which could substantially modify the SNAP program. This bill is intended to protect the Inflation Reduction Act and funds earmarked for conservation and climate change. If passed, the plan could save up to $30 billion over ten years, although it could also result in monthly benefit reductions.
It is estimated that a typical household could lose up to $7 in monthly benefits. Currently, more than 41 million Americans receive SNAP benefits, costing the federal government at least $7 billion each month. Any adjustment in payments would significantly affect both SNAP participants and the federal budget, which in 2023 already increased by 1.9%.