Food Supplement Impacted as Stimulus Package Expires

Recipients Face Reduction of Up to Five Percent Beginning November 1
Augusta, Maine - The expiration of the federal stimulus package, which temporarily increased funding to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), will reduce the monthly benefit provided through the Food Supplement program to all recipients beginning November 1. The SNAP benefit, still commonly referred to as "food stamps," was temporarily increased in 2009 with the passage of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, often referred to as the stimulus package. The temporary increase expires on November 1 and all SNAP recipients will see a reduction. The SNAP, a federal program of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is fully funded by the federal government and administered by the state. In Maine, more than $30 million in SNAP benefits are distributed each month. Adding confusion to this benefit decrease is that in October, many SNAP recipients will actually see a small increase in benefits due to the annual cost of living adjustment. The Office for Family Independence is sending notifications to the more than 132,000 households that currently receive SNAP benefits to explain the changes. "Due to the ARRA sunset, States must adjust all SNAP allotments twice this year: once on October 1, 2013 and again on November 1, 2013," wrote Bonnie Brathwaite, Director of the USDA's Northeast Region of SNAP. "Because these are statutory provisions, they cannot be waived or consolidated into one effective date."

The reduction in benefits will range from $1 a month for those who receive the minimum monthly benefit, to an average of around 5 percent for those who receive the maximum benefit. As an example, a family of four receiving the maximum benefit of $668 per month in October will see a $36 reduction. In Maine, the average monthly benefit for a family of four is $351. OFI will be sending notifications to all SNAP recipients at the end of September to inform them of the changes. A mailing will follow in mid-October that will tell members the exact amount of the reduction beginning November 1. People who need food right away can contact the Good Shepherd Food Bank at: www.gsfb.org to locate the nearest food pantry. Another option is to either dial 211 or go to www.211maine.org to locate the nearest food pantry or food distribution site.

The USDA also offers the following web sites to help people eat healthy on a low budget:

- 10-Tips Nutrition Series - http://www.choosemyplate.gov/healthy-eating-tips/ten-tips.html

- ChooseMyPlate.gov - http://www.choosemyplate.gov/

- Plan, Compare and Prepare - http://blogs.usda.gov/2013/03/28/healthy-eating-on-a-budget/

- Eat Right When Money's Tight - http://snap.nal.usda.gov/resource-library/eat-right-when-moneys-tight