CT's SNAP-Eligible Households To Receive More Benefits July 23

CONNECTICUT — More than 218,000 households in the state that receive assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will receive additional emergency food benefits beginning July 23, the Connecticut Department of Social Service announced.

The department will deliver a total of $33.2 million in Emergency SNAP benefits to all enrolled households, based on continuance of a declared public health emergency related to COVID-19 in Connecticut.

Authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, the emergency federal allocation will provide a minimum of $95 in extra food aid to all enrolled families and individuals. The amount raises the state's total emergency SNAP funding to more than $373.1 million since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

According to state officials, the emergency benefits break down as follows:

• All 218,500 SNAP-eligible households statewide will receive the emergency benefits on their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards on July 23.
• Households already eligible for the maximum monthly SNAP benefit will receive an extra $95.
• The remaining households that don’t usually qualify for the maximum monthly SNAP benefit because of income or other factors will receive extra benefits of at least $95 but averaging an estimated $149 (depending on their specific benefit situation).
• With this additional $33.2 million allocation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, emergency benefits are totaling over $373.1 million in additional SNAP assistance statewide over 16 months, with commensurate spending at supermarkets, groceries, farmers’ markets, and other food retailers.
• The $95 increase results from President Biden's January 22, 2021, executive order, which requires the USDA to consider new guidance allowing states to increase SNAP emergency benefit allocations for all households, including those previously ineligible to receive it. This increase is expected to be ongoing.
• All households also received their normal SNAP benefits, including the previously announced 15 percent increase from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, on one of the first three days of the month as they normally do, according to last name.
• If a household is granted regular SNAP benefits on or after Wednesday July 21, 2021, the additional SNAP benefits will be added to the EBT card on a Friday, depending on the date of granting.

For additional information about SNAP, visit www.ct.gov/SNAP.