SNAP household benefits to expire at end of month

The 2009 American Recovery and Investment Act’s temporary increase to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will expire on Nov. 1, 2013, resulting in reduced benefits for every SNAP household.

More than 900,000 Hoosiers currently receive SNAP benefits.

The average family of four will see its food stamp benefits reduced by about $36 per month, which is equivalent to several days of food, according to a press release from Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, the state food bank association.

The Indiana Department of Family and Social Services will be working to inform recipients of the change in benefits prior to the Nov. 1 decrease.

These reductions are particularly painful in light of the inadequacy of current benefit levels, according to an August report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
The CBPP’s report found household benefit levels are based on unrealistic assumptions about the cost of food, time preparation and access to grocery stores.

“People who are receiving food stamps are already having difficulty obtaining the food they need,” said Julio Alonso, Hoosier Hills Food Bank Executive Director. “A reduction in benefits means that they will have fewer options at the grocery store.”

Alonso said families would have to make up for the deficit by either reducing
their food costs or by finding more food elsewhere.

“We are very sure that many of them will need to either start using a food pantry or use a food pantry more often,” Alonso said. “There are over 11,000 people on food stamps in Monroe County alone, so this could have a big impact.”

Hoosier Hills Food Bank provides food to nonprofit member agencies such
as Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard and Community Kitchen, which then distribute the food directly to those in need.

Alonso said HHFB has already distributed 13 percent more food than last year.
“Through September, we’ve distributed over 2.7 million pounds of food, about 300,000 pounds more than the same period last year,” he said.

Alonso said HHFB will need more food to meet the rising demand caused by the reduction in food stamp benefits.

“We’re already picking up all the food we can from our retail donors, so we’re going to have to appeal to the public for more food donations or for financial support so that we can purchase more food,” Alsonso said.

— Brianna Meyer