Over the next few months, those collecting the emergency SNAP benefits will see those extra dollars end. Many states have already done so, but if you are fortunate enough to live in a state that has not ended this program yet, you have a chance to use the advance knowledge to your benefit. I am sorry I am slow to report these changes, my state doesn't end til March and I mistakenly thought all states were that way. I copied the information below from the USDA website.
In states where emergency allotments have already ended including Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wyoming:
- SNAP households that also receive Social Security benefits may see a decrease in their SNAP benefits beginning January 2023 because of their higher Social Security benefit.
In South Carolina, where the state is ending emergency allotments after the January 2023 issuance:
- February 2023 SNAP benefit amounts return to normal for all SNAP households in South Carolina. For households that also receive Social Security, their SNAP benefit may decrease because of their higher Social Security benefit.
In the remaining 32 states, DC, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, which are still providing emergency allotments:
- March 2023 SNAP benefit amounts return to normal for all SNAP households. For households that also receive Social Security, their SNAP benefit may decrease because of their higher Social Security benefit.
The timing on these changes seems so unfortunate, as the cost of food is ever so much higher than it was when the emergency funds were enacted, but since there is nothing to be done about it, smart planning is all we have to combat the change. It looks like most families have or will lose about $95. That is a big chunk of money! That is $25 less a week! Hopefully, if you had any money left at the end of the month, you were able to build a little cushion of canned, shelf stable or frozen foods. If not, and you are still receiving the emergency benefits, NOW is the time to start.
The best way to use the remaining extra benefits is to start shopping and eating like we have already stopped receiving them, and use the extra money to buy extra shelf stable or freezable foods. This is also best practice for any downward change in our income. If we know hours are going to be cut, lay off is imminent or a job is ending, these tips are relevant also. Here is how I would prioritize spending $95 to stock up.
1. Marked down meat. Depending on if I have a freezer and how much space it has, each time I went on a shopping trip, I would prioritize marked down or deeply discounted or sale priced meat. After snacks, meat is the next thing to go when downsizing a grocery budget, so having some in reserve will help greatly
2. Loss leaders. There is a Kroger about 40 minutes away from me, but it is on my husbands way home from work. I regularly have him pick up loss leaders (those foods listed at extremely discounted prices in the flyer to attract customers to the store). He is much better at not getting distracted in the store and sticking strictly to the list. Usually there are limits of 5 on loss leaders there. So for example, they mark their big bags of shredded cheese down to the cheapest I can find anywhere, so I always have him pick those up. If he buys the limit of 5, that is between $25 and $30 for cheese, but it can be frozen and used in small portions for a long time. Shredded cheese freezes and defrosts really well.
Some loss leaders in my flyer for this week include half pound packages of cheese, grapes, pork ribs, chicken drumsticks or thighs, name brand chips and laundry soap. If I were trying to stock up, I would pick up the limit on cheese and some chicken thighs.
3. Items we eat not usually given out at food pantries. This might sound harsh, but taking almost $100 a month away from a family to use to buy food in a time when food prices have risen steadily at 10% or more is going to push a lot more people to have to seek help elsewhere. If I can routinely get canned vegetables at the food pantry, that is probably not what I am going to use any extra funds on buying. I am going to pick things that we could use but don't usually get given out. Spice packets, sugar, flour, seasonings, and cooking oil are necessities that are not usually given out. I can't imagine being able to cook regularly without these things.
If you have any tips on how to prepare for a reduced income or benefits, please share! I would love to see what others do to get by.
Have a great week!
Monday-
- Breakfast- Leftover pancakes, banana
- Lunch- Sandwiches, crackers, carrots and celery
- Dinner- Ham and Potato soup, crackers
Tuesday-
- Breakfast- Oatmeal, banana
- Lunch- Tuna Pasta Salad, crackers, grapes
- Dinner- Bean and cheese quesadillas (make lots for lunches), salsa, corn
Wednesday-
- Breakfast- Peanut butter toast, banana
- Lunch- Tuna Pasta Salad, pretzels, grapes
- Dinner- Sheet pan dinner Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Broccoli using frozen broccoli
Thursday-
- Breakfast- Oatmeal, banana
- Lunch- Quesadillas, canned peaches
- Dinner- Mushroom Oven Rice, baked beans, peas, biscuits
Friday-
- Breakfast- Peanut butter toast, banana
- Lunch- microwave baked potatoes, carrots and celery sticks
- Dinner- Cheesy White Bean and Tomato Bake, rice, corn, bread and butter
Saturday-
- Brunch- Fried bologna sandwiches, fried potatoes and onions
- Dinner- BBQ chicken thighs, roasted sweet potatoes, coleslaw, garlic toast
Sunday-
- Brunch- Pancakes, homemade pancake syrup, scrambled eggs, canned pears
- Dinner- Fake jambalaya, green bean, garlic toast
Have a good week!
~ Sarah
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