Will we get additional food stamps this month? If you are short on time, then the answer is Yes, but only in some states. If you received CalFresh in March, April, or May and are not yet receiving the maximum for your household size, you will get additional benefits up to the maximum.
Although the Emergency Allowance program has ended, there are still different programs that provide additional benefits to families throughout the United States. As we move into 2024, many SNAP recipients are eager to learn if additional food stamps will be provided this month to help ease the financial strains of putting nutritious meals on their plates.
In this article, we will review all the areas that will receive additional food stamps this month.
Extra Food Stamps Programs by State
Although SNAP is a federal program, it is administered by the states. States can choose whether or not to implement additional EBT services like the Restaurant Meals Program or Summer EBT, so many of the benefits we discuss are state-specific. Find your state subheading below to see what’s happening in your area.
Alabama
Although I was unable to locate an additional EBT program in Alabama this month, I do know that the Double Up Food Bucks program operates year-round in Alabama in certain markets. If you shop at one of these participating stores, you could receive up to $20 per day in extra groceries with your EBT benefits.
Arizona
Arizona will make the summer EBT program available to eligible families this summer. Until then, the Double Up Food Bucks program operates year-round in Arizona so you can get extra food if you shop at these stores.
California
California residents can get up to $60 in additional food stamps this month when they purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from retailers participating in the EBT Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Project. This program immediately reimburses your EBT card for eligible purchases, meaning the money goes directly back to your card.
If you receive less than $60 in food stamps, you can still use this benefit. For example, a senior who receives $23 in food stamps could spend that $23 on eligible products at a participating store. The $23 would be returned to the card and could be spent again on eligible products. This means you could hypothetically spend $83 on food stamps even if you normally only get the bare minimum.
Hawaii
Additional food stamps are coming soon for certain Hawaii residents! Currently, SNAP benefits in Hawaii are calculated based on data from Honolulu. However, this method doesn’t fully capture the higher cost of living in other parts of the state, so the USDA decided to make a change. The USDA plans to review the way these benefits are calculated, with the goal of more accurately reflecting the various costs of living in Hawaii. The USDA is open to public comment until March 5. After this date, they will begin developing new rules for calculating SNAP benefits, based on comments received.
Additionally, Hawaii residents can get additional food this month through the DA BUX program. This program helps you get more food through an exclusive discount offered at certain retailers.
Maine
In a move to provide relief to those affected by the severe December storms, tens of thousands of people across Maine will also receive additional EBT benefits. These additional funds will be distributed to people living in one of the 14 counties named in the Declaration of a State of Civil Emergency. You should be able to see the list on the screen, but I’m not brave enough to try to pronounce some of those names right now. If you live in Cumberland or York counties and had a power outage that lasted more than four hours, you may also be able to get additional EBT.
However, there is one important exception to note. If you are among the 5,000 households that proactively filed for replacement benefits and already received additional funds, you will not be eligible for this additional round of assistance. Just keep that in mind.
Additionally, Farm Fresh Rewards is a program that is available year-round. This program can help you get extra food with your food stamps when you shop at participating retailers.
New York
New York lawmakers have a proposal to increase the minimum SNAP benefit to $100 per month, more than four times the current minimum. If you want this to happen, be sure to contact your state legislators and express your support.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island will now reimburse you up to $25 when you purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at Walmart or Stop & Shop stores. That’s $25 in extra food stamps you can get in Rhode Island just by purchasing certain items!
This program is called SNAP Eat Well Be Well and here’s how it works: For every dollar you spend on eligible products, you’ll receive 50 cents back. This offer applies to a variety of healthy options such as fruits, vegetables, salad kits, fresh herbs, garlic and even edible seeds. Remember, this is only at participating locations, so make sure your local store is participating before you swipe your card. If so, that money will be refunded to your EBT card after you pay.
Washington D.C.
Washington DC residents will receive additional food stamps in March 2024! On March 25, you can expect a 20% increase in your SNAP benefits. That’ll be an average of $18 per person in additional food stamps this month!
This will be delivered through the Give SNAP A Raise Act, which provides a temporary 10% increase in SNAP benefits to Washington DC residents. This program was supposed to go into effect in January but was delayed due to a conflict between the mayor and City Council. That conflict has now been resolved and the first increased payments were issued in February 2024.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Summer EBT Plan Approved! The additional $120 in EBT benefits will be sent to eligible students in Wisconsin at the end of June 2024.
Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee Nation has opened applications for the summer EBT program. If you are eligible, you can apply for benefits on the Cherokee Public Health website.
Not Participating
Unfortunately, not everyone will receive additional food stamps this month. We were unable to locate programs offering additional food stamps this month in these areas:
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Important Note:
Don’t forget to bookmark this page and check back next month for updates!
What are the Programs that Give Extra Food Stamps
The summer EBT program will issue an additional $120 to eligible students during the summer of 2024. These benefits will be available in 35 states, 4 tribal nations, and all 5 US territories this year. We are still waiting for most states to release their summer EBT distribution schedules.
Important Note:
Always check the official website of SNAP to get recent updates.
3 Major Changes to SNAP Coming in 2024
“SNAP reduces the overall prevalence of food insecurity by up to 30% and is even more effective among children and those with [children],” the CBPP notes.
USDA adjusts SNAP maximum awards, deductions, and income eligibility standards at the beginning of each federal fiscal year.
Last month, SNAP benefits increased, but eligibility requirements will also change, following the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) signed by President Joe Biden in June.
SNAP benefit maximums have increased: How much more will you receive per month in 2024
The maximum allocations for the lower 48 states and D.C., Alaska, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands increased. Meanwhile, the amount decreased for SNAP recipients in Hawaii to $1,759 from $1,794 for a family of four. For a family of four in the lower 48 states, the COLA means a benefit increase of $34 per month.
These are the maximum allocations for SNAP in the lower 48 states and DC (October 2023 to September 2024), according to the USDA website:
- Household size 1: $291
- Household size 2: $535
- Household size 3: $766
- Household size 4: $973
- Household size 5: $1,155
- Household size 6: $1,386
- Household size 7: $1,532
- Household size 8: $1,751
- Each additional person: $219
Benefits are typically greatest for households in Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For a family of four, the maximum benefits in Alaska could reach $1,937.
FAQs
Why isn’t everyone getting extra food stamps this month?
Decisions about whether to provide additional food stamps are ultimately made by government agencies at the federal, state, or local level. These decisions may be influenced by factors such as budget constraints, legislative actions, or changes in the general economic situation. SNAP is a federal program but not all states offer the same benefits.
Why didn’t I receive my extra food stamps this month?
If you live in a state where we reported an increase in SNAP and you didn’t receive it, there are several possible causes. For example, nutritional incentive programs require you to shop at a participating retailer and purchase certain items to get that money back.
Will we get additional food stamps this month?
The answer to the question “Will we get additional food stamps this month?” It depends on where you live. Some states will give their EBT-eligible residents the opportunity to get additional SNAP benefits this month, but it depends on where you are and where you shop.