The interim increase in emergency allotments to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic stopped with the February 2023 issuance nationally. As a result, by March 2023, all SNAP households’ payments had returned to normal levels, without the added bonus.
Extended SNAP Benefits
Several governments are now considering steps to increase these monthly allotments. Here are some of the states:
New Jersey
According to a statement, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation in February to ensure that every SNAP household in New Jersey receives at least $95 in monthly benefits beginning March 1.
Governor Murphy stated in a statement. “As the federal government’s temporary boost to SNAP benefits comes to an end, we cannot ignore the significant impact this will have on households and communities throughout our state.”
West Virginia
State senators have submitted a number of SNAP-related laws, including one requiring the state to increase monthly SNAP benefits to “at least equal to the federal emergency allotments” for pregnant women and families with children.
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California
California State Senator Caroline Menjivar sponsored legislation that would increase the minimum monthly payout for persons enrolled in the state’s SNAP program, known as CalFresh, to $50 by January 2025.
Massachusetts
Governor Maura Healey issued the state’s Supplemental Budget in January, which included $130 million to establish an “offramp” from federal additional benefits and “bridge the abrupt conclusion of this program for more than 630,000 Massachusetts families,” according to a statement. The state proposes giving individuals a supplemental SNAP allowance equivalent to 40% of their former federal payment for three months.
“With systemic initiatives like this, the Healey-Driscoll Administration aims to be a leader among states in providing households with an offramp to the abrupt end of these extra benefits,” acting health and human services Secretary Mary A. Beckman said in a statement.
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