The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced changes to its food assistance program, commonly known as food stamps.
The changes include a slight increase in benefits, adjusted for the cost of living, as well as new restrictions that will affect families' eligibility.
Adjustments to the benefits of the SNAP program (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) began with the new fiscal year on October 1.
The increase will be slight compared to the previous period. The variations correspond to the characteristics of each household. Not all families will experience the same increases or restrictions.
Food vouchers are essential for thousands of Cuban families in Florida. Many of them are newcomers to the country, with young children. Others are older adults with low incomes in the United States.
Increase in benefits and stricter restrictions
The USDA estimates that an individual could receive up to 292 dollars per month in benefits, while a family of four could receive up to 975 dollars per month.
However, the changes to the SNAP program include new restrictions that could affect certain households. One of the main updates is the savings limit. They will not be able to have more than 3,000 dollars in savings to qualify for benefits.
Additionally, individuals aged 18 to 54 who are capable of working and do not have dependents will need to seek employment of at least 80 hours per month to continue receiving assistance.
Telemundo 51 reported that eligibility verification will be stricter. Families will need to provide data that demonstrates the need for assistance and stay attentive to the different variables that make up the applications.
The changes will be in effect until September 2025. They will affect thousands of Cuban families in Florida who rely on food stamps to make ends meet.
As food and service costs continue to rise, low-income families must prepare to face additional challenges if they do not qualify for nutritional assistance.
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