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35 States To Receive Payment Boost In SNAP Benefits

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Nearly 35 states will be receiving extended SNAP benefits this summer to tackle food insecurity and poverty among vulnerable families.

January 29, 2024
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that SNAP recipients having children will get a sizable boost to their food benefits this summer.

All 35 states including five U.S. territories and tribes will be joining the launch of the summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) this year. This new benefit is expected to help around 21 Million children get adequate nutrition over the summer months and is brought to tackle food insecurity and poverty for vulnerable families.

All the eligible families will be receiving $40 per month and this will be directly loaded onto an electronic benefits transfer card which recipients can use in stores that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program benefits.

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The families will be receiving $120 of extra money this time per child in total. As such, there is no limit on the amount of children the benefits will be paid for per household.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, “Summer grocery benefits are becoming a reality for many communities across the nation and for tens of millions of children who will receive the nutrition they need to grow, learn, and thrive. We applaud all the leaders and partners who are stepping up to make the program’s inaugural year a success. Together we’re making progress in closing the summer hunger gap and ensuring children are nourished and healthy year-round.”
This is a crucial step to ensure that no kid should spend their summers hungry or without nutritious food. The Summer EBT program strives to meet the needs of the nation’s children and families throughout the year.

Families that are at present receiving SNAP benefits will be considered eligible for this scheme as well. Besides this, the children who attend schools are also eligible for free or reduced-price meals.

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Also, the extended SNAP benefits will only be available to people residing in these states, territories, and tribes including Virginia, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Arizona, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, Tennessee, Montana, Missouri, Nevada, Michigan, Maryland, Maine, Kentucky, Indiana and the list goes on.

In 2024, several states including Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, and Wyoming have opted not to participate in a specific federal program.

However, this does not permanently exclude these states, as the USDA confirms they can join in future years. States like Iowa, Nebraska, and Oklahoma have established their own programs to assist low-income families with food expenses.

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The content provided in this article draws inspiration and includes quotes from various reputable sources, including news articles, government data, and interviews. Affordable Housing 411 strives to ensure accuracy and credibility, but the information presented may be based on some external sources. We encourage readers to refer to the referenced materials for more in-depth insights and verification.

Higham Aliss. “SNAP Benefits Update as 35 States to Receive Payment Boost”. News Week, January 29, 2024,
SNAP Benefits Update as 35 States to Receive Payment Boost (newsweek.com)

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Last Updated: September 20, 2021