Latest news with #SNAP-authorized
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
06-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
USDA announces approval of D-SNAP for western KY counties
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that people recovering from recent severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding may be eligible for food assistance through USDA's Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). Some counties in the Tri-State were included as a result of this approval. The USDA says Kentucky will operate its virtual and in-person D-SNAP application May 7 through May 14. Eligible counties include Hopkins County. Approximately 11,500 households in 13 counties in Kentucky are estimated to be eligible for this relief to help with grocery expenses. Officials explain through this program, which USDA makes available through states in the aftermath of disasters, people who may not be eligible for SNAP in normal circumstances can participate if they meet specific criteria, including disaster income limits and qualifying disaster-related expenses. 'USDA is dedicated to helping individuals and families in Kentucky as they grapple with the aftermath of recent severe storms and tornadoes,' said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. 'We are expediting disaster assistance programs and working closely with state and local partners to provide support to impacted individuals as quickly as possible.' At least 15,000 USDA employees accept voluntary resignation offer How to apply for D-SNAP The USDA says to be eligible for D-SNAP, a household must either live or work in an identified disaster area, have been affected by the disaster and meet certain D-SNAP eligibility criteria. Eligible households will receive one month of benefits – equal to the maximum monthly amount for a SNAP household of their size – that they can use to purchase groceries at SNAP-authorized stores or from select retailers online to meet their temporary food needs as they settle back home following the disaster. People can get more information about Kentucky SNAP by visiting Kynect Benefits. For more information about this and other available aid, callers from Kentucky can dial 2-1-1. Secretary Rollins reveals more '100 days' accomplishments Other things the USDA has done The USDA says it has done the following so far in reference to the western Kentucky storms: Approving a waiver to allow SNAP participants to buy hot foods and hot food products prepared for immediate consumption with their benefits at authorized SNAP retailers in 52 counties through May 31. The counties in the Eyewitness News coverage area are: Hopkins County McLean County Muhlenberg County Ohio County Webster County Approving waivers for the 10-day reporting requirement for food purchased with SNAP benefits lost due to power outages in the affected areas. Officials say although current SNAP households are not eligible for D-SNAP, USDA has also approved Kentucky to automatically issue supplemental SNAP benefits to current SNAP households in the 13 approved counties, which includes Hopkins County, to bring their allotment up to the maximum amount for their household size if they don't already receive that amount. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Help buying food available in 14 KY counties affected by floods, storms, says USDA
Family members of Kathy Kinney gather around her in a vehicle near her flooded home at Ramsey Mobile Home Park in Pikeville, Feb. 17, 2025. (Photo by) Residents of 14 Kentucky counties affected by recent storms and flooding may be eligible for food assistance, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday. An estimated 12,660 households are eligible for help buying groceries through D-SNAP or the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, says a USDA news release. Kentucky will operate its virtual and in-person application for the program Wednesday through Friday, March 5-7. Eligible counties are Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Harlan Johnson, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Simpson. To be eligible for D-SNAP, a household must either live or work in an identified disaster area, have been affected by the disaster and meet certain D-SNAP eligibility criteria. Eligible households will receive one month of benefits – equal to the maximum monthly amount for a SNAP household of their size – that they can use to purchase groceries at SNAP-authorized stores or from select retailers online to meet their temporary food needs as they settle back home following the disaster. For more information about Kentucky SNAP, visit Kynect Benefits. For more information about this and other available aid, callers from Kentucky can dial 2-1-1. Although current SNAP households are not eligible for D-SNAP, USDA has also approved Kentucky to automatically issue supplemental SNAP benefits to current SNAP households in the 14 approved counties to bring their allotment up to the maximum amount for their household size if they don't already receive that amount.
