USDA has increased overall monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits by 40% in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These are unprecedented times for American families who are facing joblessness and hunger. USDA is providing a 40% increase in SNAP benefits to ensure that low-income individuals have enough food to feed themselves and their families during this national emergency,” said Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.

A household with two adults, three children, and no income can receive the maximum benefit of $768. However, due to reportable income and other factors, the average five-person household receives significantly less, $528. These emergency benefits would provide the average five-person household an additional $240 monthly in food purchasing power, bringing the average household up to the same benefit level as households already receiving the maximum.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act provided for the issuance of emergency allotments in response to COVID-19. Across the United States, emergency allotments total nearly $2 billion per month, which is in addition to approximately $4.5 billion in benefits already provided to SNAP recipients each month.

All households that are eligible to receive less than the maximum SNAP benefit will receive the emergency allotment supplement to bring them up to the maximum. SNAP emergency allotments allow states to raise benefits to the maximum amount for the household’s size for up to two months, and USDA is providing additional guidance to states that want to further extend these emergency allotments month by month as prescribed by the law.

Related:Trump administration proposes more SNAP changes

Hawaii was the final state authorized to provide the emergency allotments, which are now authorized in all 50 states, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia. States could request to provide an emergency allotment for current SNAP recipients beginning in March. USDA is continuing to work closely with states so that supplements are provided in subsequent months as this public health emergency warrants.

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