The states no longer offering extra $95 food stamps as emergency benefits end

MILLIONS of Americans on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have been receiving additional money each month during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.

This extra money, known as an emergency allotment (EA), has helped people who have faced setbacks due to the pandemic – from job loss to rising rent to inflation – but millions have already been cut off.

For millions of others, the extra money is coming to an end as the federal public health emergency is set to expire on April 16, 2022.

More than two years into the country’s declared public health emergency, states have been able to receive federal dollars to help support programs giving aid to its residents.

SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, provides a minimum of $95 extra to beneficiaries.

The money deposited onto a recipient’s electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card is earmarked to be spent on healthy foods at approved retailers.

Now, states are beginning to roll back the funds.

This is allowed when a state’s emergency declaration ends or when the federal emergency declaration ceases.

When emergency allotments end, benefits will drop by at least $95 per month or more, per household.

SNAP recipients are given a month’s notice when the EA will stop.

Emergency allotment cut off

The following states are no longer providing emergency allotments or have given notice to its beneficiaries.

• Arkansas
• Florida
• Idaho
• Indiana: last EA in May
• Iowa: last EA in March
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• North Dakota
• Tennessee
• South Dakota
• West Virginia: last EA in May

States not listed are either still providing emergency allotments for April or are awaiting approval for funding from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), who oversees SNAP.

SNAP recipients do not have to do anything additional to receive the emergency allotment. It is deposited directly onto the EBT card.

Keep in mind, sometimes the EAs are deposited separately from the regular SNAP allowances. The money can come a week or month later.

How do you qualify for SNAP?

If you are interested in applying for monthly aid, you must apply for SNAP in the state in which you live and meet certain bank balance limits.

The total amount of SNAP benefits your household gets each month is called an allotment.

SNAP households are expected to spend about 30% of their own resources on food.

The USDA says the maximum monthly allotment is based on household size. 

For example, for a family of four, the maximum allotment is $835.

It means that if you’re eligible and not claiming, you could miss out on $10,020 a year if you’re a household of four.

Each state has a different application form and process.

Benefits are paid on a specific day each month, depending on your state.

The money will be deposited on an EBT card, which is used like a debit card.

You can only use your EBT card at authorized retailers.

Plus, why not all grocery stores accept SNAP EBT cards.

We explain when you need to re-certify to continue receiving SNAP benefits.