SNAP Benefits Return to Normal Levels in April 2022
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will return to normal levels beginning in April 2022. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) deployed several measures to address food insecurity among Iowans. One of the approaches was an increase to SNAP benefits to the maximum allowable per household. This added a minimum of $95 to each household’s monthly benefits. These additional benefits will end in March 2022, and benefits will return to normal levels in April 2022.
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service has approved a one-month transition time for Iowa to go from pandemic to non-pandemic (regular) SNAP benefits. The month of March 2022 will be that transition month, serving as the last month for SNAP households to receive Maximum Allotment SNAP benefits.
Beginning in April 2022, each SNAP household will receive benefits based on the usual factors in determining eligibility including household size, income, and deductions. Therefore, the decrease in the amount of the benefits will vary and depend on each household’s circumstances.
The amount of benefits you will receive starting in April is listed on the most recent Notice of Decision received.
It's important to remember that the change in your SNAP benefit amount is because Maximum Allotment benefits ended, not because of changes in your individual SNAP case.
Additional FAQs can be found on the SNAP FAQ page.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
You should prepare and seek out any needed resources to accommodate this reduction to your benefits. You will receive your regular SNAP benefits on your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card beginning in April 2022 on your regularly scheduled issuance date.
HELPFUL INFORMATION
- If your SNAP household has an increase in the number of people, an increase in costs for shelter, utilities, child care, or court ordered child support, or a decrease in income, and you haven’t reported these changes to the Department of Human Services (DHS), you should do so. By reporting and verifying these changes, it may result in an increase in your regular monthly benefit amount. Verification documents of any reported changes are required. To report changes, please call 1-877-347-5678 Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- If those 60 years of age or older, or people with disabilities have medical bills over $35 per month, it could help provide justification for a possible increase in your monthly SNAP benefits. If you have not already reported those medical bills to DHS, you should do so. Verification of these reported changes is required. To report changes, please call 1-877-347-5678 Monday – Friday 7am – 6pm.
- To check your EBT balance, please download the ConnectEBT mobile app or visit: http://www.ConnectEBT.com
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Double up Food Bucks
For every $1 you spend on any fresh fruits and vegetables with your SNAP EBT card, you will get $1 in Double Up Food Bucks. Spend your Double Up Food Bucks right away or save for another visit. The program is in a variety of locations, including farmers markets and grocery stores. For more information and participating locations, please visit: http://www.iowahealthieststate.com/resources/communities/double-up-food-bucks/
Food Banks
If you need help securing food, please visit: https://www.iowafba.org/partner-food-banks
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
WIC serves to safeguard the health of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating and referrals to health care. For more information, please visit:
https://idph.iowa.gov/wic/families
2-1-1
To find a variety of resources in Iowa, please visit: https://www.211iowa.org/
Free and Reduced Price Meals
Please contact your child’s school, or check the school’s website, for information about applying to receive free and reduced price meals for your children.
SNAP Education and Training Program
Available to SNAP recipients who are not receiving FIP and are interested in pursuing job skills training and educational opportunities that lead to employment to aid in increasing your monthly income. More information can be found at https://dhs.iowa.gov/food-assistance/related-programs/employment-and-training.
Online Options to Purchase Food
ALDI, Amazon, Hy-Vee, New Pioneer Food Co-op, and Walmart offer online options for Iowans using their SNAP EBT card to purchase food.
Visit the retailer websites to order groceries or get more information:
SNAP recipients will be able to use their benefits to purchase eligible food items, but will not be able to use benefits to pay for service or delivery charges. For more information, please visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/online-purchasing-pilot.
Home-Delivered Meals
On March 18, 2020, DHS requested federal waivers to expand home-delivered meals to certain Medicaid recipients. This will provide home-delivered meals for Iowa Medicaid members who are home-bound and for home- and community-based service (HCBS) waiver members if their waiver does not have meals as an allowable service. We’ve also expanded homemaker services which allow someone to come into the home to prepare meals for HCBS waiver members.
External Resources
COVID-19 Potential Fraud Scam Alert Targeting SNAP Participants