Starting in October, average benefits for food stamps — officially known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP — will increase, benefiting more than 42 million SNAP recipients.

The increase will replace a similar one ordered as a pandemic protection measure, The Associated Press reported. That benefit expires at the end of September.

The coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on food insecurity in the United States, according to Feeding America, the nation’s largest network of food banks and pantries. The nonprofit organization estimates that in 2021, more than 42 million Americans — including 13 million children — won’t have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

While an increase in SNAP benefits won’t solve the problem, it’s a big step in the right direction, according to Feeding America.

“SNAP is America’s first line of defense against hunger,” the organization said in a statement. “We at Feeding America believe that continued improvement to SNAP is critical to achieving food security for our nation.”

Wondering how the increase will work and whom it will affect? Here’s what we know:

How many people could this affect in Northbrook?

The coronavirus pandemic has profoundly affected hunger in Cook County and many other communities throughout the nation.

Before the pandemic, 9.3 percent of people in Cook County were considered food insecure, according to Feeding America, the nation’s largest network of food banks and food pantries. The continuing economic fallout from the coronavirus has swollen that number to 13.7 percent who were on the brink of hunger in 2020.

The projected percentage of Cook County residents considered food insecure in 2021 is 11.8 percent.

How big is the increase?

Food assistance benefits will rise an average of 25 percent above pre-pandemic levels, according to multiple reports. This means average monthly benefits, which were $121 per person before the pandemic, will rise by $36 under the new rules.

The increase is included in a revision of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Thrifty Food Plan, which estimates the cost to purchase groceries for a family of four and guides the way the government calculates benefits.

The increase will likely cost the federal government an additional $20 billion per year. The change does not require Congress approval, The AP reported.

Who is eligible for increased benefits?

The increased assistance is available to all 42 million SNAP beneficiaries.

Some experts also argue the increase could also persuade people who have not yet enrolled in the program to do so, as the higher benefits might make them less hesitant to deal with the paperwork and more willing to deal with the stigma associated with receiving SNAP benefits.

When was the last time the program was updated?

The increase marks the first benefits adjustment to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Thrifty Food Plan, first introduced in 1975.

The 2018 Farm Bill mandated a re-examination of the program’s math, The Washington Post reported. In a January executive order, the Biden administration asked the USDA to revise the plan to better reflect the modern cost of a healthy basic diet.

Upon examining the plan, the USDA decided to increase benefits after analyzing available data on four key factors: current food prices, what Americans typically eat, dietary guidance, and the nutrients in food items.

Some have argued that current benefits often force recipients to choose cheaper, less-nutritious food options or simply go hungry as funds run low toward the end of the month. An increase in monthly benefits could help SNAP recipients make more healthy choices at the grocery store, according to the USDA.

Is the increase permanent?

The increase is permanent.

Feeding America serves 200 member food banks that serve and supply 60,000 food pantries, kitchens and meal programs around the country.

FIND FOOD

Find your local food bank
DONATE

Make a donation to Feeding America*
READ

“The Impact of Coronavirus On Food Insecurity”

ACT

Take action against hunger