There is no disputing that the year 2022 has been particularly difficult for the typical American's wallet. Americans are paying more for basic essentials like food and gas as the inflation rate for August is estimated to be 8.3 percent.
As a matter of fact, the situation is so dire that the American army has instructed its personnel to apply for food stamps in order to purchase their daily necessities. To help with any financial issues brought on by the highest inflation rate in more than 40 years, it was advised that soldiers who are eligible for SNAP take use of the program.
In light of the aforementioned, the state of New York, at Governor Kathy Hochul's direction, has declared that it will inject roughly 234 million dollars in federal cash to aid people who are now receiving food stamp assistance.
According to Governor Hochul's proposal, which was made public on Sept. 13, people who were already receiving food stamps will continue to receive the additional benefits they have been receiving since the pandemic began, as well as an additional sum from the 234 million dollar fund that was authorized.
In a formal news release, Governor Hochul stated that "too many hardworking New Yorkers continue to feel the effects of the pandemic-struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table."
"My administration will continue taking action to support our most vulnerable communities, and the 234 million dollars in SNAP benefits announced today will provide the necessary funding to ensure hundreds of thousands of New York households avoid food insecurity."
Who is qualified?
A further contribution from the fund will be available to those who are currently receiving SNAP assistance. This means that a household will still receive a supplemental payment of at least 95 dollars even if they are already close to or at the maximum benefit level of 835 dollars for a household of four.
In a time when poor families must deal with higher grocery prices, "these supplemental payments have increased SNAP recipients' purchasing power." Daniel W. Tietz, commissioner of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance said.
"This assistance is helping spur New York's continuing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic by helping New Yorkers put healthy food on the table."
More than 1.6 million households and more than 2.8 million residents of New York are thought to have benefited from SNAP in just the month of July.
