District of Columbia residents enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) started seeing additional funds loaded onto their EBT cards this weekend. The increase is part of a local initiative called “Give SNAP a Raise,” aimed at providing temporary financial support during a time of rising food prices.
The initiative, launched by the D.C. Department of Human Services (DHS), offers all SNAP recipients a temporary increase of up to 10% of their household’s federal maximum SNAP benefit. This additional support comes on top of their regular monthly allotment, providing much-needed assistance as grocery costs continue to climb.
Extra SNAP Money Sent to Beneficiaries in DC
DHS began loading the increased benefits for January and February onto EBT cards last week. Recipients can expect the combined regular and temporary benefits to be loaded onto their cards between the 1st and 10th of each month from March through September. The program is set to expire on September 30th, 2024, with households returning to their regular SNAP allotments in October. DHS will send out reminder notices in August to ensure smooth transition and avoid confusion.
This temporary boost comes at a crucial time for many District residents facing economic challenges. The ongoing inflation and rising food costs have placed a significant strain on household budgets, and the “Give SNAP a Raise” initiative aims to alleviate some of that pressure. The program provides essential support for low-income families and individuals, ensuring they can access healthy and nutritious food during these difficult economic times.
Extra Cash That the Beneficiaries Will Receive in Washington DC
The extra EBT deposit that qualifying beneficiaries will see will depend on the size of the household. For a single person who receives SNAP benefits, it will be $29, one of two members will be $53, and one of three people will see a total of $76 in their account.
For a typical American household of four people, the extra they will receive will be $97 on this extraordinary deposit. Then a household of 5 members will have an extra $115, a household of 6 people will see an extra cash to feed themselves of $138. For seven people, the amount will rise to $153 and for 8 members the money will be $175. By this date, the money should have already entered your bank account, since the deposits were sent between February 17 and 24. If your money didn’t arrive, you should approach your nearest SNAP benefits office to find out what is delaying the payment, and take the further needed actions to release the money.