Helping SNAP recipients shop first during the pandemic
As we enter April, online messaging has urged people who don’t rely on food stamps to refrain from grocery shopping during the first several days of the month. This campaign is to ensure that people who use SNAP have a better chance of stocking up on groceries during the pandemic. However, as Matt Cohen reports in Mother Jones, not every state pays out at the beginning of the month; the exact day you shop may be less important. Not to mention, there are bigger challenges during the pandemic for those who rely on SNAP. On average the benefits come out to about $127 a month, while data from USDA estimates an average range of $165 to $345 is needed per month for one person. Grocery delivery options are also limited and not available to all food stamp recipients, at a time where staying indoors has become the predominant safety precaution.
