Food Stamp Cuts Coming for NH Recipients

Food stamp recipients will soon see a reduction in the benefits they receive, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

DHHS' Division of Family Assistance said this week that recipients will see two changes in their benefits this fall. On Oct. 1, benefits will increase slightly for most households to reflect the cost of living. However, on Nov. 1, most families will see a decrease in their benefits due to the expiration of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. 

A family of four with no income and no other changes to their case will see a decrease in their monthly benefits of $36.

"We are reaching out to all our clients that receive food stamp benefits so that they are aware of the changes and understand how this will affect them," DFA Director Terry Smith said. "Every October the federal government adjusts food stamp benefits to reflect changes in the costs of living, what’s different this year is the decrease a month later."

In New Hampshire, 55,041 households currently participate in the food stamp program. 

The chart below is an example of how benefits will change, based on household size:

                 Food Stamp Maximum Monthly Benefit Levels
              
 #People |  Oct. 1      |   Nov. 1      |   Cut   
 --------------+--------------+----------------+------------
        1      |     $200     |      $189      |    -$11
 --------------+--------------+----------------+------------
        2      |     $367     |      $347      |    -$20
 --------------+--------------+----------------+------------
        3      |     $526     |      $497      |    -$29
 --------------+--------------+----------------+------------
        4      |     $668     |      $632      |    -$36
 --------------+--------------+----------------+------------
        5      |     $793     |      $750      |    -$43
 --------------+--------------+----------------+------------
        6      |     $952     |      $900      |    -$52
 --------------+--------------+----------------+------------
        7      |    $1,052   |      $995      |    -$57
 --------------+--------------+----------------+------------
        8      |    $1,202   |     $1,137    |    -$65
 --------------+--------------+----------------+------------