Food Assistance Benefits Decreased November 1

Due to changes in the federal law, food assistance benefits decreased for most people on November 1, 2013.  The federal government temporarily increased food assistance benefits in 2009 to help people affected by the economic downturn.  This increase will end on October 31, 2013.

Most people will see a drop in their food assistance benefits.  For a family of four, the reduction will be about $36 a month.

Find out what your food benefits will be by calling 1-888-622-7328 on the same day as you normally receive your benefits.

For more information about these changes, call 250-5500.

For help planning and preparing healthy meals at a low cost:

• Plan, Compare and Prepare, tips to save money and eat healthier.
• Eat Right When Money’s Tight, tips to help stretch food dollars further.
• The USDA Recipe Box helps people find healthy low cost recipes and create cookbooks and shopping lists.
• 10-Tips Nutrition Series with easy-to-follow tips for a healthy diet.
• ChooseMyPlate.gov to learn more about building a healthy plate.