Benefit Reductions to Affect All SNAP Recipients

by Erin Longchari, Director of Operations & Programs

Low-income families are about to lose one of their last remaining COVID-19 emergency benefits.

Since April 2020, households in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) have received emergency allotments (EAs), which were enacted by Congress to help address rising food needs during the pandemic.

These EAs ensured all households, regardless of income or size, received at least $95 more in SNAP benefits every month, and upwards of $250 per month for some families. EAs helped keep 4.2 million people above the poverty line in the last quarter of 2021, reducing overall poverty by 10 percent and child poverty by 14 percent. The impact was greatest for Black and Hispanic people, helping to reduce ongoing, systemic disparities between these groups and non-Hispanic white people (source).

However, EAs were always intended as a temporary pandemic-related measure. Starting in March 2023, all SNAP recipients in Washington and 31 other states will no longer receive EAs, resulting in a significant reduction in their SNAP benefits (18 other states already eliminated EAs earlier this year).

The average decrease will vary based on the same factors that determine a household’s SNAP benefits (source):

  • Household composition. Benefit decreases will be larger for families with children, who will lose $223 on average every month. For households with adults aged 60 and older, the average decrease will be $168, and families with people with disabilities will see a $190 decrease.

  • Income. Households with incomes at or below the poverty line—about 4 in 5 SNAP households—will lose an average of $142 per month. Lower-income households will lose less because they have a higher SNAP benefit and lower EA, while families with a higher (but still low) income will lose more, because they have a lower regular SNAP benefit and a higher EA.

  • Household size. One-person households will lose an average of $132 per month, while three-person households will see a larger average reduction of $197 per month. Larger households will lose more because the SNAP benefit is scaled to household size.

In addition, households that receive both SNAP and Social Security benefits will receive lower SNAP benefits due to the cost-of-living increase for Social Security that took effect January 1, 2023. (Social Security benefits are considered part of overall income in the SNAP application process.)

Unfortunately, these SNAP reductions are taking place while food prices remain high, particularly for healthy dairy, protein, and produce. While overall food inflation has started to stabilize since the peak of inflation last year, costs remain considerably higher than pre-pandemic levels, and food assistance remains vital.

In December 2022, 115,834 households in King County received food benefit assistance, including 8-13% of families in the Renton and Maple Valley zip codes (a traditionally underserved part of community with increasing need) and roughly 5% of families in King County overall. The application process can be overwhelming and benefits can be small, particularly for smaller households — as low as $23 per month, depending on income level and family size.

As with other reductions to COVID-era state and federal support, we may not see the full impact of these benefit reductions immediately. However, we will almost certainly see increasing need in our community as families continue to face difficult choices between healthy food, expensive housing, and health and childcare costs.

The Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank works with anyone needing application assistance for SNAP and other state/federal benefits, and we deeply appreciate our supporters and partners in in helping to work toward a thriving community for all. 

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