April 1, 2011

END HUNGER CT! SNAPSHOT
IMPORTANT SNAP (FOOD STAMP) NEWS THAT YOU NEED
TO KNOW TWO IMPORTANT SNAP (FOOD STAMP) CHANGES
We want you to be aware of these as there will
be many question in the next few months about them

Starting April 1 (no it's not an April Fools joke) SNAP benefits will decrease for most people – yes, less money for food.

Why? The USDA is lowering the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) which is used to calculate a household's benefit amount. This is a federal requirement

 In the winter of 2009 the USDA allowed Connecticut to increase the SUA to $720 due to the high cost of heat the previous winter. In November, DSS worked with the USDA to delay the decrease until January 1st, and a coalition of Northeast anti-hunger groups (including EHC!) worked with our Congressional teams to get the USDA to hold off on the decrease for the winter. Congresswoman DeLauro (CT) and Congressman McGovern (MA) spearheaded a letter signed by the entire northeast delegation and Senator Sanders (VT) spearheaded the Senate side. The decrease was delayed until April 1, 2011.

On April 1st, the SUA will be $662 or an average of a $10- $20 drop in benefits for some people - not all.

There is a good chance that the SUA will be increased again, in the future, but for now, this is the harsh reality for many.

For more information please go to DSS website.

benefit calculator to verify SNAP benefits for anyone currently receiving them.