USDA Modifies SNAP Plan to Expand Partial Benefits This November
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has modified its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) guidelines, resulting in increased partial benefits for food stamp enrollees in November. This adjustment comes in response to a recent court ruling and formally reduces the maximum benefit cut from 50% to 35%.
New Guidance on SNAP Benefits
In a court filing, USDA officials revealed that the maximum allotments for SNAP would be adjusted to decrease by only 35%. Patrick Penn, a senior official at the USDA, emphasized that this change was essential to comply with a court order and to optimize the use of the SNAP contingency fund during the government shutdown.
Details of the Adjustments
The original plan would have provided around $3 billion in benefits, leading to an average benefit cut of 61%. This is a stark difference from the updated analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, which suggested that a 43% cut would suffice given the available funds. Under the revised guidance, the USDA plans to utilize $4.65 billion from the contingency fund to supply partial SNAP benefits this month.
- Maximum reductions lowered from 50% to 35%
- Original plan projected $3 billion in benefits
- Updated benefit analysis stated a 43% cut was sufficient
- Potential total benefits for November: $8.2 billion
Impact on Beneficiaries
Following the adjustments, a significant number of beneficiaries may still face reduced assistance. Reports indicate that almost 5 million recipients could receive no benefits due to their usual allotments being lower than the cuts. Furthermore, households with some income may receive less than 65% of their typical benefits.
State Variations and Implementation Challenges
The timing of when food stamp recipients will receive their revised benefits varies by state. Older technological systems in some states may create delays. For example, residents in North Carolina and Massachusetts are expected to have their benefits processed next week, while Pennsylvania faces challenges due to complex implementation requirements.
- North Carolina: Benefits expected next week
- Massachusetts: Similar timeline for benefits
- Pennsylvania: Implementation may take 10,000 hours
Legal and Administrative Challenges
Delays in processing food stamp benefits have prompted fresh legal scrutiny. A coalition of cities, nonprofits, and businesses previously filed lawsuits urging the USDA to utilize the contingency fund effectively. A ruling by U.S. District Judge John McConnell highlighted the need for expedited payment processing.
As this situation evolves, the USDA continues to face questions regarding its handling of SNAP benefits amidst financial constraints and operational delays. Further updates are expected as the legal proceedings progress, with a hearing set for Thursday to address these pressing issues.
