The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, has undergone modifications for the year, possibly affecting 42 million citizens participating in the program, according to the Food and Nutrition Service agency.

SNAP benefit amounts vary based on people’s household size, monthly income, and other expenses.

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What changes are coming to SNAP benefits?

Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act passed by Congress, federally funded extra COVID-era SNAP benefits expired as of February. The benefit amount SNAP recipients receive changed beginning in April. This decision comes in response to officials declaring that COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency.

However, Massachusetts passed a bill for state-funded extra SNAP payments recently. Those eligible for SNAP can receive the state-funded extra benefits that make up for up to 40% of the difference between a typical monthly SNAP benefit amount and the maximum SNAP amount for a household size. There is a set minimum amount of $38 per month.

When are these changes happening?

Starting July 2023, COVID-SNAP benefits that started in April 2020 will no longer be available, and payments will return to pre-pandemic amounts.

The Massachusetts state-funded extra SNAP payments will go out on April 7, May 2, and June 2.

What comes next?

Recipients may have already received a text from the Department of Transitional Assistance and a letter regarding information about the changes.

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Those enrolled still qualify for SNAP. The only difference is people will receive the normal amount they qualified for before the pandemic.

SNAP recipients can call Project Bread's FoodSource hotline at 1-800-645-8333 to be rescreened for benefits if they choose. This process can also show people how to maximize their benefit amounts and provide additional resources.