If you were approved for SNAP, but only for $23 per month, here's why it's that specific number and what to do about it.
Why were you only approved for $23 per month?#why-were-you-only-approved-for-23-per-month
$23 is currently the minimum monthly benefit amount for SNAP. Because your benefit amount is calculated on a sliding scale based on your income, some households end up just barely under the limit to qualify.
That leads to some one and two-person households receiving only $23 per month, which is the bare minimum possible benefit about for SNAP.
This is especially common in higher-cost of living parts of the country, like California or New York.
Unfortunately the income rules are the same across the country (except for Alaska and Hawaii) so lots of people who live in places where rent is much higher, for example, really struggle but don't qualify for a large SNAP benefit.
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How to check that $23 is the correct amount for you#how-to-check-that-23-is-the-correct-amount-for-you
If you were approved for $23, you can do a few things to check that it's correct:
- Look at your "award letter" that came in the mail or online — it usually has a budget section where it shows the income and expense information they used to calculate your benefit amount. If anything looks wrong, contact your SNAP agency.
- Call your SNAP agency and ask an eligibility worker to walk you through the calculation. Feel free to ask questions, and tell them if anything seems off from your actual situation.
Getting more than $23 per month by submitting proof of expenses#getting-more-than-23-per-month-by-submitting-proof-of-expenses
Sometimes people are approved for only $23 in SNAP benefits when they are actually eligible for more, and it's because they didn't submit documents showing expenses, like rent or medical costs.
If you sent in documents showing your income but not your expenses, it may be worth calling to check if by submitting more documents showing expenses that your benefit amount would go up.
Usually you can do this soon after being approved, and the SNAP agency should increase your benefit amount after they evaluate your proof of expenses.
If you're a senior or disabled, this is extra important for you: special rules allow more expenses to count for your case. That means sending in expense proofs can increase your benefits even more.
Even with $23 per month, receiving SNAP can get you more benefits#even-with-23-per-month-receiving-snap-can-get-you-more-benefits
While it can be frustrating to only get $23 per month in SNAP, there are also other discounts and benefits that you become eligible for by receiving SNAP. These include:
- Lifeline (a free cell phone with basic service)
- Public transit discounts
- Free or discount admission to zoos, museums, and other places
- Discount memberships for retailers like Amazon and Walmart
You can access info on these extra benefits and discounts on the free Propel app. The Propel app also makes it easy to check your EBT balance, and set up security features like blocking out-of-state transactions.
Will the SNAP minimum go up from $23?#will-the-snap-minimum-go-up-from-23
Advocates have been pushing both the federal government and states to increase the minimum benefit.
New Jersey was the first state to fund a minimum benefit of $95. And California may pilot a minimum benefit of $50 per month.
Overall getting approved for only $23 in food stamps is frustrating. No one who applies for SNAP is having an easy time.
But it can be helpful to understand why it's that specific number, what options you have to check that it's correct for you, and why even receiving the minimum in SNAP helps you access other help.
