ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp announced Monday that people applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, has gone up dramatically since the start of coronavirus outbreak across the state.
“The Division of Family and Children Services received nearly 12,000 online applications -- up from 6,400 online applications two weeks ago. Those numbers do not include paper applications,” Kemp said in a news conference Monday evening.
"State officials are working on plans to support the nutritional needs of its most vulnerable residents, allowing families who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to access the maximum benefit amount for their household in March and April. Right now, the average monthly SNAP benefit per Georgia household is $225. About $200 million in SNAP benefits is distributed to Georgians every month.”
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The governor said in March and April, SNAP recipients will see an additional $100 in benefits.
"This change could be a major support to senior citizens in our state, who typically receive about $15 in SNAP benefits each month. This supplement will allow them to get the maximum benefit amount for their household size, which is $194 for a household of one, in March and April,” Kemp said.
Kemp said state officials are also working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to issue the increased supplement to residents for the month of March.
“March benefits have already been issued, so the supplement will come in the form of a second allotment at the end of the month. The supplement will be included as part of the regular monthly benefit in April,” Kemp said.
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