More than one-third of Louisiana households in supplemental nutrition programs will face benefit cuts next year as a result of cost-of-living adjustments to federal programs.
The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services recently announced that the 145,330 SNAP households, or about 34% of Louisianas receiving food stamps, would face an average reduction of about $47.15 in monthly benefits starting in January. .
The decrease is attributable to an 8.7% cost-of-living adjustment in Federal Social Security retirement, survivor and disability insurance, supplemental coverage income, and some VA payments. Calculated by the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the COLA is based on the Consumer Price Index, and the rate of increase in 2023 is the largest since his 11.2% rise in 1981.
According to DCFS, “Monthly benefits for individual Social Security recipients will increase from $1,680 to $1,827 on average (more than $140 per month).” Maximum monthly benefits for SSI recipients will also increase by $73. (from $841 in 2022 to $914 in 2023).”
This increase has caused many to exceed eligibility limits for SNAP and other programs, such as the Family Support Temporary Assistance Program and the Relative Care Grants Program.
In addition to reduced SNAP benefits, 1,414 SNAP recipients in Louisiana will exceed the eligibility limit and lose benefits completely, and approximately 1% of FITAP and KCSP households will also face reduced benefits.
According to DCFS, “SNAP beneficiaries are now receiving emergency quotas that provide the largest amount of benefits for their household size”. Afterwards, it may go unnoticed until the emergency quota expires.”
DCFS will begin adjusting income for SNAP and FITAP applicants beginning in January using an electronic file of benefit amounts from the Social Security Administration.
The agency encourages households facing lost or reduced benefits to contact Louisiana State 211 for information on additional assistance.
