10 Food Stamps Changes in 2021 - Did You Know About This?!

We've got the scoop on the top 10 food stamps changes in 2021! Here's everything you need to know about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (aka food stamps, aka EBT) in the new year.

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 2021 Food Stamp Changes
00:28 Maximum Benefit Increase
00:48 Temporary Stimulus Increase
01:14 Easier to Qualify
01:31 Increased Income Limits
01:44 P-EBT (Pandemic EBT)
03:10 Deductions
03:39 Online Ordering
03:55 Louisiana Payment Schedule Changes
04:20 Missouri Suspends Recertification
04:44 Virginia Restaurant Vouchers
05:00 Learn More

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Low Income Relief is a free information service that connects people across America to benefits, resources and programs in their local communities. Find ways to save money and get free stuff at lowincomerelief.com!

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TRANSCRIPT:

Food stamps changes are coming in 2021! In this video, I’m going to walk you through all the changes that may affect you.

I’m Nicole from Low Income Relief, where we help millions of people save money and
get free stuff. Check out our website to learn how you can get 500+ freebies and deals with an EBT card!

2020 brought several changes to the food stamps program and many of those changes are expected to continue (or even expand) in 2021. Let’s review, shall we?
FEDERAL

MAX INCREASE: In 2021, households will see a 5.3% increase in the maximum allotment for food stamps. In 2020, a household of four had a maximum possible benefit of $646. Now, it’s $680. It’s not a ton more, but it definitely helps.

STIMULUS INCREASE: In addition, the newly signed Coronavirus Relief Package allocated $13 billion for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is the formal name for food stamps. According to CNBC, food stamps benefits will be boosted by 15% per month starting on January 1 and ending June 2021. This is about $25 more per person per month on average, according to LIsa Davis of the No Kid Hungry Campaign.

EASIER TO QUALIFY: Under the new stimulus bill, the extra federal unemployment benefits will not count toward your income when applying for food stamps either, which means that more people will qualify for food stamps. College students and other younger adults will also have an easier time qualifying for benefits because the previous work requirements have been temporarily suspended.

INCOME LIMITS: Every year, the income limits are adjusted to accommodate the cost of living. If you have previously been denied because your income was above the limit, you may want to check out these new limits and see if you qualify!

PANDEMIC: Pandemic EBT, which was a lifesaver for many households throughout 2020, has been expanded. The USDA has information for the 2020-2021 school year on its website and specifically states in a memo, “The Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021, and Other Extensions Act extends Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) through the end of September 2021. That means that P-EBT is now available for all of the school year 2020-2021.”

That memo also indicates that the Act has modified P-EBT to include certain children in childcare and eligible children in Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Information on this program varies by state, so it’s important to check with your local school and state agency.

For example, Illinois will be distributing P-EBT quarterly for eligible households but the program is managed by each school, and each school can choose whether or not to opt-in to the P-EBT program. If you were eligible October through December 2020, the estimated date for your first issuance is January 31, 2021.

In Massachusetts, where more than 500,000 students are eligible for P-EBT, families have already started receiving funds to cover meals missed in October and November.

It is important to check with your child’s school for more information about the status of P-EBT in your area.

DEDUCTION INCREASE: Along with this, there have been increases in the amount of deductions. This increase may mean that you receive more food stamps than you did before. The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance reports that the federal government has changed the deductions as follows:
The Standard Deduction has increased by $3
The Maximum Excess Shelter Deduction has increased by $17
The SNAP Maximum Homeless Shelter Deduction has increased by $4.68.

For more information about why deductions are important, please see our video on how to get more food stamps.

ONLINE: The online purchasing pilot, which was previously restricted to just a few states, is now available in 47 states. More than 90% of households that rely on Food Stamps now have access to online ordering.

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Видео 10 Food Stamps Changes in 2021 - Did You Know About This?! канала Low Income Relief