Newsroom > DHHS News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 16, 2009

CONTACT
Jeanne Atkinson, Communications and Legislative Services (402) 471-8287, Jeanne.Atkinson@nebraska.gov

Food Stamp Benefits Will Increase in April Due to Stimulus Money

Lincoln – The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, commonly known as the Economic Stimulus Package, provided for a 13.6% increase in the maximum allotment for all food stamp households. See the chart below for the maximum allotment increases.

For example, the maximum allotment for a three-person household with no countable income is currently $463 a month; effective April 1, 2009, this allotment will increase to $526 per month.

“People struggling to put food on the table depend on these benefits,” said Todd Landry, Director of the Division of Children and Family Services, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). “This increase couldn’t have come at a better time to help those Nebraskans in need.”

Extra benefits will automatically be added to recipients’ Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards starting April 1. People can find out their April food stamp benefit amount by calling the Automated Voice Response System at 1-800-383-4278 (or, in Lincoln, call 323-7455). The system is available 24 hours a day.

As always, changes in household circumstances, like a change in income or expenses, may affect recipients’ increases. Nebraskans can see if they qualify for food stamp benefits or apply for assistance online at: www.ACCESSNebraska.ne.gov.

This increase in benefits will replace the annual cost of living increases normally given in October.

In January 2009, there were 128,067 people (55,231 households) receiving food stamp benefits each month in Nebraska through DHHS. Nationally, the name of the food stamp program is now Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.

-30-