There are several changes that may affect SNAP household’s benefit amounts over the coming months. The temporary boost to SNAP benefits put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, known as emergency allotments, ended nationwide after the February 2023 issuance. – USDA
Message to SNAP Participants
- We want to let you know that the amount of your SNAP benefits may go down in March. In 2020, Oklahoma temporarily raised SNAP benefits because of COVID. This increase ended after February 2023.
- The added benefits are called emergency allotments. When they end, you will return to your normal SNAP benefit amount, and you will only receive one payment to your SNAP account each month.
- In addition, households that receive both SNAP and Social Security benefits will see a decrease in SNAP benefits because of the cost-of-living increase to Social Security benefits that started in January 2023.
Why is this happening?
The federal government provided the funds for emergency allotments in 2020 to help Americans who lost jobs, lost hours at work, or were otherwise impacted by the COVID pandemic. Many states have already stopped the added benefits, but Oklahoma continued to provide them as families and our economy were still recovering. At the end of February, the federal government stopped providing the funds for emergency allotments, so Oklahoma must stop providing them.
How do I prepare for this change?
- To learn what your SNAP benefits will be:
- Review your SNAP “Notice of Approval” letter (08MP001E). This letter specifies your amount without emergency allotments, so check there first.
- Download the Conduit app or visit https://www.connectebt.com/ and look for your transaction history.
- Review the current income eligibility limits for SNAP here.
- Contact OKDHS at 405-522-5050 to review your case; please expect call delays.
- Check that your information is up to date with OKDHS. This may help increase your benefit amount. To do this use OKDHSLive! or your OKBenefits account to change what you can there. Call OKDHS at 405-522-5050 for other changes.
- Double Up Oklahoma matches the value (up to $20 per day) of SNAP dollars spent at certain farmers markets and grocery stores for fruits and vegetables. This can help you stretch your food budget. To learn more, go to doubleupoklahoma.org.
- Check Hunger Free Oklahoma’s website for more food resources.
- Please share this information with your family and friends.
More from USDA
Learn more about these benefit changes and view a list of FAQs on the USDA website.
Informational Brochure
Click here to download an informational brochure about the end of SNAP emergency allotments.
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Oklahoma Human Services Press Release
Click here to read the Oklahoma Human Services press release.