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| Clarification from Lewis County DSS Regarding Early Release of February SNAP Benefits 01/16/19 07:00pm |
Lewis County Department of Social Services, announced that her office has been notified that most recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will receive their full February benefit early, due to the ongoing partial shutdown of the federal government. Most SNAP recipients should have their February benefit loaded onto their card by Thursday, January 17. This is not a "bonus" benefit, and those receiving the early issuance will not receive another benefit in February. The early release was directed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which administers the SNAP program. USDA will use the authority under the last Continuing Resolution to issue February benefits, according to a release from the department. The Continuing Resolution that expired December 21, 2018 provided an appropriation for programs like SNAP and Child Nutrition to incur obligations for program operations during the 30 day- period following the expiration of the Act. Since our report, Commissioner Jones said her office has taken a large number of calls from concerned recipients and wanted to clarify a few points. "It has come to the attention of DSS that many SNAP recipients have questions about the early release of SNAP benefits on January 17, 2019," Commissioner Jones said. "All SNAP recipients can be assured that once a SNAP benefit is deposited to their account the amount remains useable for up to 6 months, or until the benefit amount is depleted." Many of the questions related to confusion on whether or not the early benefit needed to be used before February 1st and if SNAP cards would no longer be active after February 1st. SNAP cards are active and can be used during the partial shutdown of the federal government and DO NOT expire on February 1st, according to Commissioner Jones, noting recipients will need to budget the early benefit release for use through the month of February and possibly beyond. For addittional information you can visit the NYS OTDA website for: How the Federal Shutdown Affects SNAP Questions and Answers The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) at DSS is not impacted by the shutdown. At the Human Services committee meeting of the Lewis County Board of Legislators on Tuesday night, Commissioner Jones reported that there are approximately 3,000 SNAP recipients in Lewis County with county residents receiving a total benefit of $330,000 per month. That equates to roughly 11% of the population in Lewis County receiving a SNAP benefit, Commissioner Jones said, while nationwide 12.4% of Americans rely on SNAP benefits. |
