SNAP Recipients to see Decrease in Benefits

On Nov. 1, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP) recipients will see a decrease in benefits due to theexpiration of SNAP increases provided by the American Recovery andReinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

The amount of SNAP benefits each eligible household receives depends onmany factors, such as household size, income and expenses. Beginning Nov. 1, afamily of four with no income and no other changes to their case will see adecrease in their monthly benefits of $36.

The cut in benefits comes as lawmakers also are considering billions of dollars of cuts to the program overall, which has grown substantially in recent years amid the weak economy and high unemployment.The program currently serves more than 23 million households, or nearly 48 million people, according to the most recent government data through June. The average monthly benefit is about $275 per household,according to the USDA.

There are 3.6 million people who currently participate in theSNAP program in Florida.