Under the revision, which is permanent, beneficiaries will see a $36 hike in average monthly benefits. They received $121 per person before the coronavirus pandemic.
Including the annual cost of living adjustment, which is based on food price inflation and kicks in every October, the average monthly benefit will jump to $169 per person, according to the agency.
Long overdue
The adequacy of food stamp benefits has long been a question. Advocates for low-income Americans argue that the funds run out before the month is over. But conservative experts point out the program is designed to supplement a family’s food budget.
Left-leaning advocates have said for years that the Thrifty Food Plan, which was introduced in 1975, is outdated. It makes unrealistic assumptions about food affordability and availability today, as well as about the time families have to shop and prepare meals, they argue.
“We really haven’t revisited the underlying assumptions since the ’70s, which is a little bit horrifying given how different the way we eat, the price of foods, how families acquire and prepare foods,” said Elaine Waxman, senior fellow at the Urban Institute. “All of those things have changed so dramatically. So this is way overdue.”
The average cost of a meal in the US is $2.41 — 22% higher than maximum food stamp benefits, according to a recent Urban Institute report that Waxman co-authored. In 2020, the maximum benefit did not cover the cost of a modestly priced meal in 96% of US counties. The revision, however, will reduce that figure to an estimated 21% of counties.
Still, some advocates argue, more needs to be done.
“The Thrifty Food Plan is still really the bare minimum. What is the least amount of money that a family that is struggling would have to have spend to have a healthy diet?” said Lisa Davis, senior vice president at Share Our Strength, which seeks to end childhood hunger and poverty.
“It’s not generous by any means,” she added. “This is a really important towards SNAP benefit adequacy, but we’re not all the way there yet.”