USDA Announces Increase to SNAP Benefits After Re-Evaluation

SAN ANGELO, TX –– On Monday, the  U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a re-evaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan that is currently used to determine SNAP benefits eligibility. Currently, more than 42 million Americans receive assistance through the SNAP program.

With funds set aside in the 2018 Farm Bill, the USDA reevaluated the Thrifty Food plan using four key factors: current food prices, what Americans typically eat, dietary guidance, and the nutrients in food items.

The research conducted showed that the "cost of a nutritious, practical, cost-effective diet is 21% higher than the current Thrifty Food Plan."

According to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the "cost adjustment is the first time the purchasing power of the plan has changed since it was first introduced in 1975." 

“A modernized Thrifty Food Plan is more than a commitment to good nutrition – it’s an investment in our nation’s health, economy, and security,” said Secretary Vilsack. “Ensuring low-income families have access to a healthy diet helps prevent disease, supports children in the classroom, reduces health care costs, and more. And the additional money families will spend on groceries helps grow the food economy, creating thousands of new jobs along the way."

For Texans, the adjustment may result in an increase of $1,502 per year or by $36.24 per person, per month, or $1.19 per day, for the Fiscal Year 2022 beginning on October 1, 2021. This is the second highest increase in the United States.

“To set SNAP families up for success, we need a Thrifty Food Plan that supports current dietary guidance on a budget,” said Stacy Dean, deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services. “Too many of our fellow Americans struggle to afford healthy meals. The revised plan is one step toward getting them the support they need to feed their families.”