Reuters
By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA) on Monday will announce revised nutrition standards dramatically boosting average food stamp benefits, the agency confirmed on Sunday.
The New York Times first reported the plan to unveil the largest permanent benefits increase in the history of the government’s primary anti-hunger program, saying the change would result in average benefits rising more than 25% versus pre-pandemic levels.
Under the new rules, average monthly benefits, $121 per person before the pandemic, will rise by $36 starting in October, the newspaper reported, adding that all 42 million people in the program would receive additional aid.
At the same time, a temporary 15% increase in benefits as part of pandemic relief is set to expire on Sept. 30. The $3.5 billion boosts approved earlier this year provide about $27 more per person, per month, or over $100 more a month for a household of four, in additional food stamp benefits.
The USDA plans a media briefing on Monday to detail the changes, but a spokeswoman for the agency, Kate Waters, confirmed the Times report in an email…Read More