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SNAP Policy Updates

October 11, 2022

October 2022 

  • As of September 23, 2022, the USDA has granted waivers to the following states to extend their emergency allotments through October 2022 
  • Maximum SNAP Allotments for October 2022: 
Household size48 states and D.C. 
1$250
2$459
3$658
4$835
5$992
6$1,190
7$1,316
8$1,504
Each additional member+$188

USDA Expands SNAP Online Shopping, Adds New Retailers

September 20, 2022

  • Within the past 4 months, the U.S. Department of Agriculture collaborated with additional vendor partners to add 44 retailers to the existing program 
  • More than 150 retailer chains are now offering online shopping to SNAP participants
  • Online purchasing has been expanded to 49 states and the District of Columbia 

USDA Modernizes the Thrifty Food Plan, Updates SNAP Benefits 

August 16, 2022

  • Starting Oct. 1, 2021 all Virginia SNAP participants will see an increase in benefits due to the USDA’s recent update to the Thrifty Food Plan methodology, the first since 1975
  • USDA reviewed data of the Thrifty Food Plan that resulted in cost adjustments to reflect the current price of foods in the market place 
  • The increase in benefits provides families with a realistic budget to maintain a healthy diet and decreases the barrier of the cost of healthy foods 
  • On average, SNAP households will receive an increase in benefits of about $36 per person or about $1.20 per day
  • The new income limits are:
Household size Maximum Gross Monthly Income
1$2,147
2$2,904
3$3,660
4$4,147
5$5,147
6$5,930
7$6,687
8$7,444
Each additional member+$757

VDSS: Annual Change in SNAP Benefits Begins Oct 1st. https://www.dss.virginia.gov/files/division/pa/news_releases/2021/SNAP_Mass_Change_Release.pdf 

Virginia Lifts SNAP Eligibility Ban for Drug Convicted Felons

July, 1, 2022

  • Starting July 1st, 2020, applicants with previous drug-related felony convictions may now apply for SNAP benefits in Virginia 
  • Eligibility for federal food assistance cannot be denied solely due to drug-related felonies as long as the person is complying with: 
    • Obligations imposed by the criminal court and/or Department of Social Services 
    • Actively engaged or completed a sustance abuse treatment program
    • Participates in periodic drug screenings
  • In previous years, roughly 1,800 applicants with drug-related felonies were rejected from receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility

July 2021

  • Broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) is a policy in which households may become categorically eligible for SNAP because they qualify for a non-cash Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or state Maintenance of Effort (MOE) funded benefit
  • Effective July 2021, Virginia SNAP participants and households that received a TANF/MOE funded benefit are eligible to be categorized under BBCE
    • The gross income limit for eligible individuals is 200% of the FPL 
    • Will not be subject to the resource asset test 
  • Households not eligible for the program may apply for SNAP benefits under regular program rules
    • However, the SNAP eligibility test now only includes the gross income test and net income test 
    • The resource/asset test is no longer needed to determine eligibility for SNAP
    • SNAP households with elderly or disabled members do not need to meet the gross income limit, but must meet the net income limit. 

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Our Member Food Banks

Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
Capital Area Food Bank
Feed More, Inc.
Feeding Southwest Virginia
Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank
Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore
Virginia Peninsula Foodbank

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Richmond, VA 23220

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