There’s great news for Florida food stamp recipients – Florida SNAP EBT benefits will be increasing by 25% starting next month. The Florida food stamps increase comes as a result of some major changes made by the Biden Administration to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Last month, the USDA announced changes that will increase SNAP EBT benefits for food stamp recipients by an average of $36 per person – or about $1.20 per day. The food stamps increase will go into effect beginning on October 1, 2021.
This change to the food stamp program will be marked as the largest increase to SNAP in the program’s history. The increase in SNAP EBT benefits comes as a result of changes made to the Thrifty Food Plan.
In this article, we will cover:
- Changes to the Thrifty Food Plan for 2021
- Florida Food Stamps Increase for 2021-2022
- How much you’ll receive in Extra Food Stamp Benefits
- Importance of the SNAP EBT Increase
- Florida Emergency Allotment (EA) Benefits
To find out more about the Florida Food Stamp increase and the changes to the SNAP EBT program, continue reading below.
What is the Thrifty Food Plan?
The Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) is a series of food plans developed by the USDA to estimate the cost of a healthy, balanced diet on four different price points.
The TFP takes into account the current food prices, what Americans typically eat, dietary guidance, and the nutrients in food items.
Changes to the Thrifty Food Plan for 2021
In August 2021, the Biden Administration reevaluated the Thrifty Food Plan to account for increases in current food prices and dietary recommendations. For example, the updated Thrifty Food Plan includes more fish and red and orange vegetables.
The revised TFP represents the cost of a practical, nutritious, cost-effective diet for a family of four. This includes an adult male, adult female, and two kids between the ages of 6-8 and 9-11.
This change to the Thrifty Food Program has resulted in an average SNAP EBT benefit increase of 25% for food stamp recipients.
Food stamp benefits are impacted by changes to the Thrifty Food Plan because it determines the maximum SNAP allotment benefit amount for a household size.
Florida Food Stamp Increase for 2021-2022
Florida EBT Cardholders and food stamp recipients can expect to see a significant increase in their benefits. In fact, Florida SNAP benefits are expected to increase by $1.4 million in the state alone.
On average, Florida food stamp recipients can expect to receive an additional $36 in monthly benefits. This increase does not include the annual cost of living adjustment that takes place in October.
With that said, the average SNAP recipient can expect to receive an increase in benefits similar to the example highlighted below:
Current Average Monthly SNAP Benefits: $121
New Average Monthly SNAP Benefits: $169
That’s a $48 increase in SNAP EBT benefits by October 2021.
How Much Will I Receive in Extra Food Stamps in Florida?
Florida SNAP EBT recipients can expect to see a 25% increase in their food stamp benefits. This increase goes into effect on October 1, 2021 and lasts until September 30, 2022.
To find out how much your household will get in maximum SNAP benefits, use the table below:
| Household Size | New Maximum Benefit Amount
with 25% Increase in October 2021 |
| 1 | $250 |
| 2 | $459 |
| 3 | $658 |
| 4 | $835 |
| 5 | $992 |
| 6 | $1,190 |
| 7 | $1,316 |
| 8 | $1,504 |
| For Each Additional Person | +$188 per person |
Importance of SNAP Benefits Increase
This historic increase in food stamp benefits will help feed more than 42 million Americans struggling with food insecurity. If that isn’t enough to convince you of the importance of this SNAP benefits increase, then let’s take a look at the data.
Today, the average cost of a meal is $2.41 – that is 22% higher than maximum food stamp benefits, according to the Urban Institute. This means that the maximum benefit did not cover a modestly priced meal in 96% of the United States.
The USDA reports that nearly 9 in 10 SNAP participants face issues purchasing households with nutritious food due to cost. Additionally, nearly 90% of food stamp recipients say that their benefits run out before the end of the month.
The revisions to the Thrifty Food Plan and Food Stamps Program is an important step towards ending hunger and food insecurity.
Florida Emergency Allotment (EA) Benefits
Since March 2020, Florida has been using temporary SNAP flexibility to provide emergency food benefits to households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
These temporary flexibilities are also referred to as Emergency Allotment benefits.
What are Emergency Allotment benefits?
Emergency Allotment benefits are emergency food assistance benefits that are disbursed to SNAP recipients to help address temporary food needs.
They were implemented to help provide immediate relief to households struggling to meet their nutritional needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
EA benefits are part of the Pandemic Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Florida, also know as P-SNAP.
What is P-SNAP?
P-SNAP provides emergency allotment benefits to households based on their size.
The USDA has granted each state permission to use these temporary flexibilities in the food stamps program to provide additional assistance to low-income households.
As a result, Florida has been issuing extra food stamp benefits to SNAP EBT cardholders each month. This is an effort to help mitigate the financial impact from the COVID-19 pandemic.
To find out how much and when you can expect to receive your extra food stamps in Florida, check out our complete article on Florida EA benefits.
Florida SNAP Benefits Increase Questions
We hope this post on the new SNAP EBT Increase was helpful to you. We will continue to update this article as more information is released regarding food stamp increases in Florida.
If you have additional questions about the food stamps increase or Florida food stamp benefits, please let us know in the comments sections below.
Want to know how much extra food stamps you can expect to receive on your Florida EBT Card each month? Check out our article on Extra Food Stamps in Florida by Month.
Be sure to check out our other articles about Florida EBT and food stamp benefits, including:
Fast Food Restaurants that Accept EBT in Florida
How to Apply for Florida P-EBT (2021)
Florida P-EBT Extension for 2021
Access Florida Login Help
How much will I get in Florida food stamps?
Florida EBT Card FAQs
Florida EBT Payment Schedule for April
