Thousands of Coloradans who depend on government assistance may soon notice an increase in their food stamps after the US Department of Agriculture’s reevaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, which is used to compute SNAP benefits.
Coloradans will have 21% increase in their Food Assistance. (Photo: Click Orlando)
21% Increase in SNAP Benefit for Coloradans
In a recently published article in The Denver Channel, according to SNAP statistics from the Office of Economic Security, an estimated 250,000 Colorado families rely on food stamps. These households will receive their increase in SNAP Benefit beginning Oct.1.
The 21 percent increase is a first in the program’s history, equating to about $36 more per month on average, or, in practical terms, an increase from $121 to $157 in monthly per-person benefits.
Moreover, there have been modest inflation hikes in the past, but this plan revamp is brand new, based on key state estimates, including a rise in applicants since June that has exceeded applications for the whole year of 2020.
Some Coloradans Share Why the Increase is Important
Pamela Meza has long been waiting for this increase. She said “I buy meat with a lot of vegetables so I can be able to make things and then be able to have leftovers for the freezer,” However, even with her salary and food stamps, she can only go so far.
Additionally, Meza also said that the additional $100 will help her in her meals for another three weeks. However, she also asserted that “Which I think with a lot of low-income people or homeless people – that’s still not enough. think it would be beneficial if I were getting more like $200 a month.”
Billy Lindsey also shared and said “Jobs aren’t paying enough to be able to keep up with the cost of living. “Last time I had food stamps, I lost them because I was making too much. They help out a lot,” This time she is reapplying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
