Utah’s December SNAP payments, worth up to $1,751, expire this Friday
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Utah is pausing benefits for December, leaving residents without food assistance. Normally, food stamps are distributed to SNAP households on specific days each month, based on the recipient’s last name. However, this month, the benefits will not be sent out.
The amount of benefits received depends on the size of the household, with a maximum of $291 for a household of one, $1,155 for a household of five, and $1,751 for a household of eight. Additional funds are provided for each extra person. These amounts are determined by the cost-of-living adjustments for 2023-24.
SNAP recipients with last names starting with A through G should have received their benefits on December 5th, while those with last names starting with H through O received benefits on Monday. Those with last names starting with P through Z will receive benefits on Friday.
On average, each household member receives 9 per month, and approximately 5% of Utah’s population, or 156,300 people, rely on food stamps.
The benefits are loaded onto a prepaid electronic benefits transfer card called the Utah Horizon Card, which functions like a debit card. It can be used at various locations, including grocery stores, farmers markets, and select online retailers. However, it’s important to note that SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase nonfood household items, tobacco products, alcohol, pet food, or prepared foods.
When are SNAP benefits typically distributed to recipients in Utah, and how does it vary based on the recipient’s last name?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Utah has announced that it will be pausing benefits for the month of December, leaving many residents without the much-needed food assistance they rely on. Typically, food stamps are distributed to SNAP households on specific days each month, based on the recipient’s last name. However, this month, the benefits will not be sent out.
The amount of benefits received depends on the size of the household. For a household of one, the maximum benefit is $291, while for a household of five, it is $1,155, and for a household of eight, it is $1,751. Additional funds are provided for each extra person in the household. These amounts are determined by the cost-of-living adjustments for the years 2023-24.
SNAP recipients with last names starting with A through G should have received their benefits on December 5th, while those with last names starting with H through O received their benefits on Monday. Those with last names starting with P through Z will receive their benefits on Friday.
On average, each household member receives $179 per month through SNAP. Approximately 5% of Utah’s population, or 156,300 people, rely on food stamps to help meet their basic nutritional needs.
To access their benefits, recipients are issued a prepaid electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card called the Utah Horizon Card. The card functions like a debit card and can be used at various locations, including grocery stores, farmers markets, and select online retailers. However, it’s important to note that SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase nonfood household items, tobacco products, alcohol, pet food, or prepared foods.
The pause in SNAP benefits for the month of December has left many Utah residents in a challenging situation. For those who rely on these benefits, the temporary loss of assistance could mean struggling to put food on the table for themselves and their families. This situation underscores the importance of SNAP in providing a safety net for vulnerable individuals and families in our communities.
While the reasons behind the pause in benefits have not been explicitly stated, it is crucial for the appropriate authorities and stakeholders to address the issue promptly. Efforts should be made to ensure that recipients receive the assistance they need in a timely and efficient manner.
In conclusion, the pause in SNAP benefits for the month of December in Utah has left residents without the food assistance they rely on. The amount of benefits received depends on the size of the household, and approximately 156,300 people in Utah rely on food stamps to meet their nutritional needs. The benefits are loaded onto the Utah Horizon Card, which functions like a debit card but cannot be used for nonfood items or certain other products. It is vital that steps are taken to address the situation and ensure timely assistance for those impacted by the pause in benefits.
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