This article first appeared in The Daily Phil (eJewishPhilanthropy) on September 2, 2021.
MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger hosted a webinar yesterday to explain the White House’s “historic” update to the formula that determines benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which will raise the average benefit by $36.24 per person, per month starting on Oct. 1.
“It’s food on the table,” said Mia Hubbard, MAZON’S vice president of programs, adding that the change will generate the largest single increase to benefits in the program’s history.
The Department of Agriculture reevaluated SNAP when new data on food prices and nutrition revealed that its benefits — an average of $125 per month — weren’t enough to purchase food for a healthy diet.
“These changes will whittle away the shame and stigmaassociated with SNAP,” said Josh Protas, MAZON’s vice president of public policy. “People who use the program will be able to buy healthier food.”
By making the program more appealing, the changes will also help the network of grassroots advocates MAZON supports in boosting support for SNAP at the state level, Hubbard said.