SNAP RECIPIENTS WILL SEE DECREASED BENEFITS ON NOVEMBER 1

Albany, New York—October 11, 2013 – On November 1, 2013, all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit recipients will see a decrease in their monthly SNAP allotment. This is because the increase provided by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) will expire.

In 2009, Congress passed ARRA to allow for a temporary boost in SNAP benefits to help offset the economic downturn. This federal Act allowed for SNAP recipients to receive a 13.6 percent increase in their maximum monthly SNAP allotment. ARRA has not been renewed by Congress and as a result, the temporary increase is expiring.

“We want all SNAP recipients to know about this decrease before it happens so that they can plan accordingly,” said Linda Bopp, executive director of Hunger Solutions New York. This decrease will have an effect on the food purchasing budget of more than 3 million New Yorkers.”

Recipients will see two changes in their benefit amounts during the fall of 2013. Every October 1, benefits increase slightly for most households to reflect the cost of living. This annual increase took place the beginning of this month. In addition, on November 1 of this year only, all SNAP recipients will see their benefits decrease due to the end of the extra benefits provided by the 2009 federal law.

Most SNAP recipients will see a decrease of about $11 dollars per person, per month. The amount of the SNAP cut is based on the household size. All 1 and 2 person households that are receiving the minimum $16 benefit will see their benefit lowered to $15.

SNAP Maximum* Monthly Benefit Levels

*SNAP benefits depend on many things—income, household size and expenses. The maximum benefit amounts per household size listed in the chart above reflect the highest SNAP benefit allotment a household could receive. For those recipients not receiving the maximum benefit, a decrease to their monthly allotment will still occur.