Food stamp benefits cut for 154,000 in Delaware

Delaware’s 154,000 food stamp or  (SNAP) recipients  are among the more than 48 million clients nationwide who will see their benefits reduced starting Nov. 1, due to the end of stimulus funding.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act temporarily increased spending for SNAP, formerly known as food stamps. The legislation, which provided for the expanded benefits to begin in April 2009, included an end date, which was later revised to Oct. 31, 2013.

The reduction will have some effect on the Delaware economy, due to the largest number of recipients. As economic consulting firm DECONFirst noted last week, transfer payments account for a larger percentage of total income in the state.

If recipients have difficulty meeting the monthly food needs of themselves or their families, they will be referred to Delaware 211 for additional  resources.

Before the Nov. 1 reduction, the average monthly benefit in Delaware was $128 per person.

The amount of SNAP benefits each eligible household receives depends on many factors, including income, household size and expenses. Assuming no other changes in those factors between October and November, the table below shows the decrease in SNAP benefits in November by household size.

“For those Delawareans who are in a vulnerable position, this decrease will make a difficult situation more difficult,” Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Rita Landgraf said. “At DHSS, we are committed to working with our clients and our community partners to make sure that no one in Delaware goes hungry.”