The Largest Food Stamps Increase EVER?!

Food Stamps, officially known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (or SNAP), will increase by 21% above pre-pandemic levels beginning in October! This is a huge announcement, as it will increase the average monthly per-person benefits from $121 to $157. That’s a significant increase – in fact, it’s the largest increase to food stamps in history.

Will you get more food stamps?

If you currently receive food stamps, YES! All households who currently receive benefits will be affected by this change, which is part of the USDA’s revision to the Thrifty Food Plan.

How much will food stamps increase?

The new adjustments call for an increase of 21%. That’s’ about $36.24 per person per month, or $1.19 per day. Although it may seem small, this will actually represent the largest-ever increase to the food stamps program.

When does the new SNAP increases start?

This change takes place on October 1, 2021. It is a permanent change, so this will continue indefinitely.

That makes this change much more significant than the temporary pandemic-related increases that will expire at various points in 2021.

What if you currently receive the minimum?

Although the maximum food stamp allotments are increasing, it was not readily apparent if the minimum food stamps amounts would also increase. As of now, the minimum food stamps amount is $16 per month.

Why are food stamps increasing?

“A modernized Thrifty Food Plan is more than a commitment to good nutrition – it’s an investment in our nation’s health, economy, and security,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Ensuring low-income families have access to a healthy diet helps prevent disease, supports children in the classroom, reduces health care costs, and more. And the additional money families will spend on groceries helps grow the food economy, creating thousands of new jobs along the way.”

One in eight American households rely on Food Stamps to eat… and the benefits typically aren’t enough to get through the month. In fact, a recent USDA study found that 90% of SNAP participants struggled to achieve a healthy diet due to the cost of healthy foods.

This boost is part of the revision to the USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan, which we discussed in our 2021 Food Stamps Update. Basically, the Thrifty Food Plan is how the government evaluates the current cost of food. It is determined by the price of two dozen food groups, but the prices were established in 1962 and have only been adjusted for inflation. Obviously, the plan has been severely outdated for a very long time.

When the government re-evaluated the cost of food in the Thrifty Food Plan, it became very apparent that an increase in benefits was needed.

Did you know you can get free stuff if you have food stamps?!

If you have an EBT card, you can get some pretty incredible discounts and deals! We have a list of over 650+ discounts and deals that you can receive just for having a food stamps card. Our list includes free museums and more! Check out the full list at LowIncomeRelief.com/EBT.

Where can I spend my food stamps?

If you’ve got food stamps, you’re probably wondering where you can spend them. It turns out, you can spend your money at far more than just your local grocery store! You can shop at Costco, Amazon, and even use Instacart with your food stamps funds. Get the details here.

Got EBT? Check this out!

Nicole Thelin

Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.