Food Stamps Payment Schedule and COVID-19 Emergency Benefits: What to Expect in 2023

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, is a federal program that offers financial assistance to individuals and families living below the poverty line. According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) on January 5, 2023, the program is intended to ensure that recipients have access to appropriate nutrition. As we enter the first month of 2023, there may be some questions about when to expect SNAP payments and when emergency allotments will end.

Based on a previous report by MARCA on January 3, 2023, the payment schedule for SNAP in 2023 is expected to follow the same pattern as in 2022, with payments distributed in the first 10 days of the month and going directly onto Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. Emergency allotments, which were a part of COVID relief, will end after February 2023 checks. Households receiving Social Security benefits may also see a decrease in their SNAP benefits due to cost-of-living increases that took effect on January 1, 2023.

Currently, several states have already ended emergency allotments for SNAP, including Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wyoming. According to the USDA, the income eligibility limit for SNAP varies by state, with a limit of $1,133 for individuals and $3,886 for families of eight in the 48 states, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. Special income limits also exist for households with elderly or disabled residents.