SNAP Benefits Expanded in Two States: What To Know
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Federal authorities have expanded emergency food assistance for residents affected by recent severe weather in Kentucky, while, in New Mexico, older SNAP recipients with disabilities will get one-off extra benefits this month.
Why It Matters
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps, are provided to low- and no-income families across the U.S. to help them with the cost of groceries. Across both states, just over 1 million people receive food assistance.
What To Know
Kentucky
In Kentucky, those who already receive food stamps will benefit from a temporary relaxation of rules. It means they will be able to buy hot meals with their payments in certain counties impacted by recent severe weather.
Nearly 20 people died in the Bluegrass state and hundreds of properties and buildings were damaged in storms that swept across the Midwest in May. The USDA has confirmed the relaxation of SNAP restrictions is in place "in order to increase access to food after power outages as a result of severe storms."
Under regular rules in Kentucky and throughout most U.S. states, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase ingredients, prepared cold snacks and nonalcoholic beverages. But through to July 2, residents of 26 counties who get SNAP payments will be able to buy preprepared warm meals from participating retailers.
File photo: A SNAP sign is seen in a storefront window.
File photo: A SNAP sign is seen in a storefront window.
GETTY
The following counties have been approved for D-SNAP:
Adair
Caldwell
Calloway
Casey
Christian
Clay
Clinton
Crittenden
Cumberland
Henderson
Hopkins
Jackson
Knox
Laurel
Lincoln
Lyon
Marshall
McCreary
Pulaski
Rockcastle
Russell
Trigg
Union
Wayne
Webster
Whitley
New Mexico
In New Mexico, SNAP recipients who are aged over 60 and have a disability will get a one-off extra payment of $68 uploaded to their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card. The extra food assistance has automatically been added to 29,444 eligible individuals' accounts as of June 3.
What People Are Saying
Kyra Ochoa, deputy cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Health Care Authority, said in a statement: "Through this collaboration, we provided critical additional food support for important members of our communities. Using state general funds to create extra benefits for seniors and people with disabilities is a great example of how strong interdepartmental partnerships can better serve New Mexicans in need."
Emily Kaltenbach, cabinet secretary at the Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) in New Mexico, said: "We are proud to once again partner with HCA to bring additional relief to New Mexico's older adults and adults with disabilities. This boost reflects our shared commitment to ensuring New Mexicans have access to the nutritious food they need."
What Happens Next
The D-SNAP expansion will be in place in Kentucky until July 2.
In New Mexico, anyone with questions about the supplemental benefit can contact the Health Care Authority at 1-800-283-4465.
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