On Monday, the Biden Administration announced that Food Stamp benefits will increase by 27% above pre-pandemic levels starting in October.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that this is the biggest increase in the program’s 46-year history.
This change is part of a USDA review of the program under the 2018 Farm Bill. Beneficiaries will now receive approximately a $36 hike in average monthly benefits. Now, according to the agency, eligible people will receive $169 per month.
With these updates, there will be a 7% increase in daily caloric intake for consumers and the inclusion of pre-prepared food.
The update was also a result of an update to the Thrifty Food Plan. The plan calculates and determines the changes in the cost of groceries for, as an example, a family of four that is also budget-conscious.
Consumer advocates have long argued that food stamps run out in less than a month and that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is current with today’s purchasing data.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 42 million people have been enrolled in the program as of May. Lawmakers have made updates based on four factors in the 2018 Farm Bill: food prices, dietary guidance, nutrients in food and data related to what Americans eat today.
