Changes in SNAP Benefit Amounts: Who is it affecting and why?

Tags: Advocacy, Childhood Hunger, Donate, Emergency Food, Food Bank, Food Insecurity, Food Stamps, Health & Nutrition, Hunger Relief, SNAP

“I used to get $177 a month from food stamps and now it is cut down to $125. After buying groceries I don’t have enough to buy food for my dog.”

A senior picking up his monthly food box told us how the change in SNAP (food stamps) benefits is affecting him.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the government issued emergency allotments, which meant increased benefits for those enrolled in SNAP. In December, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which ultimately ended the emergency allotments. 

The impact that families enrolled in the program are facing is a reduction of SNAP benefits at an average of $90 per person per month. In Arizona, 11% of the population received benefits from SNAP in the 2022 fiscal year.

Most are families with children. 29% are families with members who are seniors or disabled.

Most SNAP participants in Arizona have an income that is below the poverty line. With the ending of emergency allotments, a family of four could see a decrease in benefits of up to $360 per month. 

If you need help applying for SNAP benefits, or renewing them, give us a call at 520-882-3314 to make an appointment. You may need to leave a message, but we will get back to you.

We have a team of specialists ready to help you.

To find more help please visit https://www.communityfoodbank.org/get-help/.