Low Income Home Energy AssistaSNAP Benefits to Increase April 1
Federal Economic Stimulus Money Provides Boost to SNAP
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP) benefits will increase for Montanans effective April
1, 2009 due to the recently passed federal American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
For many people, this increase will be
extremely timely. “In these tough economic times, we know that
some Montanans have to choose between meals and
medicines. Hopefully this additional funding will help people
afford both,” said Bob Bartholomew, AARP Montana State
Director.
Currently, 88,548 Montanans are
receiving SNAP benefits, the highest in at least the last 25 years.
The program, administered in Montana by
DPHHS, was previously known as the Food Stamp Program until the name
was changed in October 1, 2008, partly to more accurately reflect
the program's mission to provide food assistance and nutrition
education to assist participants as they move to a healthier
lifestyle.
According to Linda Snedigar, Human and
Community Services Division manager for DPHHS, people already
receiving SNAP benefits will soon notice the extra benefits on their
Electronic Benefit Transfer card. "This will happen
automatically," Snedigar said.
The SNAP benefit increases vary
depending on the number of people in the household. For example, a
family of three who currently receive $250 per month in SNAP
benefits will see their benefit increase by $63 to $313 per month.
(A complete table below shows a breakdown of various household size increases.)
Income, resources, household size and
allowable expenses determine the amount of benefits a household can
receive.
To confirm eligibility, people are
encouraged to contact their local Office of Public Assistance.
In addition, there's also good news for
people eligible for benefits in the classification called
'able-bodied adults without children.' Normally, those recipients
are only eligible for benefits for three months during a 36-month
period. Until further notice, the time limits have been suspended.
"Even people who have exhausted this benefit are now eligible
again and are encouraged to apply," Snedigar said.
To be eligible for SNAP benefits as an
able-bodied adult, recipients are age 16 through 59 and must
register for work. In addition, the individual may be required to
participate in a SNAP Employment and Training Program unless a
specified exemption is met.
As part of the ARRA, Montana is expected
to receive an overall total of $57 million in SNAP benefits over the
next four years. The Montana Legislature is currently working how
best to allocate other pieces of the stimulus money. However, the
SNAP allocation goes directly into the program and is effective in
April due to federal requirements.
In February 2009, a total of 88,548
Montanans benefited from SNAP and $9.9 million was paid out. By
comparison, in February 2008 there were 80,525 people who utilized
the program and $7.9 million was paid out that month.
In state fiscal year 2007, DPHHS issued
nearly $100 million dollars in benefits.
SNAP is the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's largest domestic nutrition assistance program serving
more than 28 million individuals across the nation each month.
The table below indicates the benefit
increases for each household.
People in Household Increase Example
1 + $24
For example: If there are 3 people
in your household and right now you get $250 each month, starting in
April you will get $313 each month. ($250 + $63 = $313).
2 + $44
3 + $63
4 + $80
5 + $95
6 + $114
7 + $126
8 + $144
Each extra
person + $18
For more information call Snedigar at
406-444-6676 or visit the DPHHS Web site at www.dphhs.mt.gov.
Or, to track how other ARRA funds are
being allocated in Montana go to www.recovery.mt.gov.
There are no comments for this item.
