CT SNAP Benefits Increased Under Federal Stimulus Program
The Connecticut Department of Social Services announced last week that it would provide a total of $25.5 million in additional federal food benefits to state residents in two allocations last week through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- First, all 213,590 households enrolled in SNAP received an average benefit increase of $45.91 on Wednesday, January 20 – the first of monthly 15% increases through June. This additional food aid totals an estimated $8.5 million per month, and results from the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
- Second, 110,000 SNAP-enrolled households received an average benefit increase of $154.90 on Saturday, January 23 – the tenth monthly emergency allocation authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020. This additional food aid totals $17 million for January.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 increases the maximum and minimum allotments SNAP households are eligible to receive by 15% for the months of January through June 2021. In essence, this means that 365,500 individuals in the 213,590 households currently receiving SNAP assistance should have seen an increase on their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card on Wednesday, January 20. The 15% increase will then be added to the household’s normal SNAP benefits for the months of February through June.
Emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) benefits totaling $17 million were provided to more than half of Connecticut SNAP-eligible households on Saturday, January 23 – adding to the $176.2 million in emergency benefits disbursed in April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December.