Millions of households will benefit from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Eligible households that qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will receive a significant financial boost in the midst of an inflationary crisis that has dealt a severe blow to the United States.
The amount each family could receive depends primarily on their income, as well as certain expenses. Meanwhile, several U.S. states have officially announced that they will offer additional SNAP benefits to eligible families.
This assistance is intended to help households that are having difficulty making ends meet as a result of lack of employment or reduced hours following the COVID-19 outbreak.
Eligibility for SNAP benefits
Last year, Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) decided to temporarily modify SNAP eligibility. Under the new rules, each household must meet certain income and asset requirements to qualify.
Household income must be at or below 130% of the poverty threshold, which has been set at $1,830 per month in 2022. For example, this means that the poverty threshold for a family of three is $2,379 per month.
Meanwhile, a household without an elderly or disabled member must have assets of $2,500 or less. Families with these members must have assets of $3,750 or less.
How much does an eligible household receive?
A single-person household could receive a maximum of $250, while the average monthly SNAP benefit is estimated at $175. A two-person household could receive up to $459, with the average benefit being $334.
In addition, a family of three would receive up to $658 ($520 average monthly benefit), a family of four would get $835 ($638) and a family of five could receive $992 ($748).
«The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition assistance program,» reads the official government website.
«SNAP provides benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families through an Electronic Benefits Transfer card. This card can be used like a debit card to purchase eligible food at authorized grocery stores,» it concludes.