Latest news with #HealthyIncentiveProgram
Newsweek
a day ago
- Business
- Newsweek
SNAP Benefits Bonus Available For 580,000 Americans
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. SNAP recipients in Colorado can get extra benefits this summer providing they make healthy purchases, state officials have announced. 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. Colorado has around 584,000 SNAP recipients —10 percent of its population — all of whom are eligible for the boost. SNAP recipients in Colorado can get extra benefits this summer providing they make healthy purchases, state officials have said. SNAP recipients in Colorado can get extra benefits this summer providing they make healthy purchases, state officials have said. GETTY What To Know SNAP participants can get up to $60 per month via a dollar-for-dollar match on fruits and vegetables bought from participating retailers as part of the Colorado SNAP Produce Bonus program. Last summer, the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), in collaboration with Nourish Colorado, launched a pilot of the electronic Healthy Incentive Program to make nutritious food more affordable for families. Since its debut, more than 99 percent of the bonus benefits have been successfully redeemed. To participate, SNAP users just need to purchase eligible fruits and vegetables at a participating retailer. They will automatically receive a dollar-for-dollar match added to their electronic benefit transfer card, which can be used at any SNAP-authorized location. You can earn up to $60 in bonus funds each month, which can then be spent on any SNAP-eligible items at any authorized retailer. There are around 30 retailers participating in the program, with some in populous areas like Boulder, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Loveland, as well as smaller towns like Mancos and Hotchkiss. Bricks and mortar retailers are not the only businesses participating, with farm stands and markets in numerous locations also taking part. What People Are Saying Abby McClelland, director of CDHS's Food and Energy Assistance Division, said in a statement: "The Colorado SNAP Produce Bonus program helps families stretch their food budget and access fruits and vegetables that they may not have bought without this incentive program. This is especially important with the increase in grocery prices that we have seen recently." Emma Kottenstette, founder of retailer Farm Runners, said: "Most people that come in know about the program and are stoked and then just keep coming back. Once they find out about the program one time, it's like they don't need any convincing." What Happens Next The program comes at a time when various states have succeeded in limiting SNAP purchases for unhealthy foods like soda and candy, with more expected to have waivers approved in the coming weeks and months. Nebraska, Iowa and Indiana have recently had waivers approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which funds the program, to eliminate certain purchases being made with SNAP benefits in a push to promote healthy eating.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
UMass medical students advocate at the State House
BOSTON (WWLP) – Rising third-years with UMass Medical School's Population-based Urban and Rural Community Health (PURCH) program, held an advocacy day at the State House pushing for policies that will benefit their patients in western Massachusetts. The PURCH program is a specialized track and students complete their clinical experience at Baystate Medical Center, where they learn to address socioeconomic community issues alongside their patient's health. For one Southwick native, this program is a bridge to her dream job serving her western Massachusetts community. The impact of fentanyl crisis on one western Massachusetts city 'I've gone to Baystate as a patient, I've gone there as a learner, and I just wanted to continue my education through the Baystate health system to hopefully one day serve as a physician in western Mass,' said Olivia Raymond, a PURCH student. This year, students are pushing for Clean Slate legislation, which would automatically seal certain criminal records after a designated period of time has passed. 'We know from studying social determinants of health that the more people can access housing and can access jobs, the more people can get health insurance and the healthier the community becomes,' said PURCH student Jennifer Murphy. Students also advocated for additional budget funding for the Healthy Incentive Program, which gives money back to families with SNAP benefits when they purchase healthy, locally-grown foods. About 10 to 15 percent of PURCH students stay in western Massachusetts after they graduate to be physicians at Baystate Medical Center. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
