SNAP BENEFITS DROP JUST BEFORE THANKSGIVING

Millions of American families could face a sparse holiday table when food stamps benefits get reduced in November, and that could be just the start of deeper cuts to the program to feed poor families. SNAP benefits for all recipients are scheduled to drop on November 1 because a recession-era boost in benefits is expiring. The exact reduction depends on each recipient’s ‘situation, but a family of four with no other changes in circumstances will receive $36 less per month, according to the USDA. At today's average prices, that translates to four fewer whole chickens each month. Parke Wilde, associate professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition at Tufts University, said that in real dollars, the cuts brings the program’s aid levels back in line with where they were in the mid-2000s. Wilde says the bigger issue is the debate in Congress over whether, and how much, the SNAP program could be cut in years to come. The House of Representatives would eliminate about $40 billion from the SNAP budget over 10 years, while the Senate bill makes much smaller cuts to the program.

 

Source: NBC News, 10/21/13, SNAP Cut