The increase in food aid is here to stay; How much are you eligible for?
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FILE – In this file photo from Friday, March 17, 2017, a sign advertises a program that allows food stamp recipients to use their EBT cards to shop at a farmers market in Topsham, Maine. President Donald Trump’s administration is proposing to end an option that has allowed states to exceed federal eligibility thresholds for food stamps. (AP Photo / Robert F. Bukaty, File)
TOPEKA (KSNT) – The increase in food benefits in Kansas is now permanent, according to the Kansas Department for Children and Families.
The department announced this week that residents who receive food assistance will receive a permanent increase in the maximum benefit amount starting October 1.
Some residents who benefited from the increase, such as those on the Topeka Rescue Mission, said it helped keep them afloat during the pandemic.
“It really gave me independence because before, when I didn’t have this access to the SNAP program, it was difficult to get food, and now I can get on the bus and go to Walmart… go to Dillons, ”said Jamie, a resident. Chestnut.
Shelly Rothe, who is also at the mission, said the increase can be of great help to families and also gave her a wider variety of options to choose from.
“There are a lot of places that accept the EBT card, and it’s very beneficial. You never need to be hungry for any reason, ”Rothe said.
According to the ministry, the change is due to the 2018 Farm Bill which ordered the United States Department of Agriculture to reassess the Thrifty Food plan, which is used to calculate the benefits of food aid. With this year’s adjustment, the maximum allowance allowed has increased to $ 250 for a household of one. The maximum allowance amounts for households of two or more people have also increased.
Additionally, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service temporarily increased food aid benefits by 15% from March 2021 to September 2021 due to the national public health emergency. The temporary 15% increase ends September 30 and will be replaced by the new amounts. Overall, food aid recipients will see a 10% increase over benefit levels before March 2021.
The graph shows the maximum benefits for October 1 as well as the gross income and net income limits for food aid:
| Household size | Maximum benefits as of October 1, 2021 | Maximum gross income on October 1, 2021 | Maximum net income as of October 1, 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $ 250 | $ 1396 | $ 1,074 |
| 2 | $ 459 | $ 1888 | $ 1452 |
| 3 | $ 658 | $ 2379 | $ 1830 |
| 4 | $ 835 | $ 2,871 | $ 2209 |
| 5 | $ 992 | $ 3363 | $ 2,587 |
| 6 | $ 1190 | $ 3855 | $ 2,965 |
| 7 | $ 1316 | $ 4,347 | $ 3344 |
| 8 | $ 1504 | $ 4839 | $ 3,722 |
| Each additional person | + 188 $ | + $ 492 | + $ 379 |
Other annual adjustments were also made:
- Gross and net income caps have increased this year
- Maximum deduction for excess housing increases from $ 569 to $ 597
- Standard utility allowance increases from $ 364 to $ 392
- Limited utility allowance increases from $ 247 to $ 286
- The telephone standard goes from $ 35 to $ 37
- Standard medical deduction remains the same $ 175