Food stamp benefits maximized through July
JEFFERSON CITY, MO –The Department of Social Services has received approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to extend Pandemic Food Stamp/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (P-SNAP) benefits through the month of July.
This means Food Stamp/SNAP households will once more automatically get the maximum Food Stamp/SNAP benefit amount for their household size loaded onto their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. P-SNAP, part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, enables Missouri SNAP households to receive the maximum Food Stamp/SNAP benefit amount for their household size during a state of emergency. As of April 30, 2020, 360,937 Missouri households or 752,315 individuals receive Food Stamp/SNAP benefits.
“We are grateful the USDA approved the department’s waiver request to extend P-SNAP benefits for Missourians through the month of July,” said Jennifer Tidball, Acting Director, Department of Social Services.
“This will have a positive impact on families as they move forward through Phase 2 of the Show Me Strong Recovery Plan returning to work and getting back on their feet. However, Missourians who receive SNAP benefits need to be prepared for the eventual return to normal benefit amounts for their household size, which for many will mean a decrease in their benefits.”
Low-income Missouri families are encouraged to apply for the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT), a one-time food assistance benefit of up to $302 per each student. The P- EBT benefit helps low-income families of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals with the cost of the meals they provided for their children while they attended school at home during the months of March, April, and May.
The application deadline is extended to July 7 since only about 60 percent of households that could be eligible have applied for the P-EBT benefit. Families may download the application online or call 855-FSD-INFO to get an application by mail.