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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in 21 states. While the increase varies from state-to-state eligible residents in Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, California, Washington, and Connecticut will receive up to $157 automatically loaded to their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards sometime in January. Those in Illinois can expect the additional food stamps added on Sunday, January 16.
Individuals and families not currently receiving SNAP assistance may be eligible. With the reevaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan in August 2021. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) increased the maximum allotment per person by $36.24 in October 2021. These increased benefits were in addition to the pandemic relief.
The USDA aims to reduce food insecurity and hunger by providing low-income individuals and families access to food that includes a wholesome diet and nutrition education. The agency does this to support American agriculture and boost public trust. About 38 million people nationwide received SNAP program benefits in 2019 alone.
SNAP Statistics Nationally and Illinois
Nationally, more than 66% of food stamp participants are families with children. In addition, nearly 36% are in households with members who are senior citizens or have disabilities, and about 42% of recipients are in working families. Illinois’ 2019 statistics indicate there were 1.8 million residents who benefit from the food stamp program. That is 14% of the state’s population or one in seven people.
Data shows many people in Illinois struggle with food insecurity. In 2019, nearly 10% could not easily afford a nutritional diet.
The USDA reports between 95 and 100% of eligible Illinoisians participated in the program in 2017 — 85% of eligible workers received benefits. Between 2013 and 2017, the SNAP program kept an average of 298,000 individuals out of poverty.
Written by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
The U.S. Sun: SNAP $157 benefit being sent as emergency EBT $1,504 boost automatically deposited; by Jocelyn Cook
Food StampsNOW: Extra SNAP Food Stamp Benefits for January 2022
USDA Food and Nutrition Service: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Featured and Top Image by Dorine Adhoch Courtesy of ILRI’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
First Inset Image by Courtesy of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Courtesy of Wikimedia – Public Domain License
Second Inset Image Courtesy of David Mulder’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
