Virginia has increased the income eligibility for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps), adding to the federal increase in benefits, effective October 1. This means that more individuals and more than 25,000 families are eligible for more food benefits. Huge news. Good news.
The income eligibility increase for a family of four, for example, is 46%! Before October 1, 2021, a family of four had to have a monthly income of no more than $2,839. Starting October 1, a family of four can qualify for SNAP with a monthly income of $4,147.
The Thrifty Food Plan has not been updated since 1975. With the federal re-evaluation, SNAP beneficiaries will receive, on average, $36 more per person per month. (Estimated Increase in SNAP Benefits - FY 2022) Across the state, the re-evaluation means an additional $337 million (approx) a year.
Head over to WRIC's SNAP benefits increase and expanded eligibility effective Oct. 1, do you qualify? for additional information about the change (including the income eligibility table above), including links, such as to the Virginia Poverty Law Center's online eligibility calculator tool and the VPLC helpline 866–753–SNAP.
For wonks or the otherwise curious, here are some background materials:
- Annual Change in SNAP Benefits Begins Oct. 1 (Virginia DSS release, PDF)
- Thrifty Food Plan, 2021 (Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, PDF)
- SNAP and the Thrifty Food Plan (USDA)