As a result of the federal government’s approval of more funding for SNAP benefits in January 2023, SNAP participants can anticipate an increase in their January 2023 allocation.
The January 2023 SNAP benefit payments should reflect the authorized cost-of-living adjustment rate of 12.5% for the fiscal year 2023. The COLA will last through September 30, 2023, and is intended to offset the growing cost of food and other essentials.
The Department of Children and Family Services has announced that Electronic Benefit Transfer cardholders will begin receiving benefits on Sunday, January 8, 2023.
In addition, the government emphasized that SNAP users who have not yet reached the maximum benefit level would get a supplement to achieve the maximum.
Meanwhile, those who have already reached the maximum benefit allocation will get $95.
DCFS also communicates with those who have filed for SNAP assistance but have yet to gain approval.
Applicants for SNAP benefits “shall receive the additional allocation” depending on their family size on a “rolling weekly basis,” according to the government.
SNAP Benefits January 2023
DCFS said that the maximum allowance for a one-person home would increase to $281 on October 1, 2022, up from $250.
There will be an additional $211 fee for each new household member.
Several states, including California, Colorado, Washington, D.C., Louisiana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Oklahoma, will distribute more SNAP benefits in January 2023.
The additional allocations will be put into the CalFresh accounts of California consumers on either February 4 or February 11.
In California, an estimated 2,888,531 individuals will get more SNAP benefits in January 2023.
In January, Oregon SNAP users will continue to receive higher emergency food payments.
However, it is predicted that emergency benefits will terminate once the federal public health emergency ends.
Approximately 421,000 SNAP families in Oregon will receive additional food benefits totalling more than $71 million.
Households that did not get benefits in the initial monthly distribution will receive theirs on January 31, 2023, or February 2, 2023.
The payment schedule for SNAP benefits varies by state and territory in the United States.
Most states implement staggered payment schedules based on the SNAP case numbers, last names, or Social Security numbers of SNAP members.
SNAP Benefits Payments
Food stamps can purchase fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, bread, cereals, snack foods, and nonalcoholic drinks.
Certain things cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits, including alcoholic drinks, nicotine products, vitamins, medications, pet meals, and cosmetics.
In most places, SNAP recipients cannot purchase hot meals with their benefits. However, California’s SNAP Restaurant Meals Program permits it.
Alaska, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, Rhode Island, and Michigan are other states engaging in the same initiative.