15 Percent SNAP Boost Will Come Along with Maximum March SNAP Benefit Payments

Feb. 25, 2021

(TRENTON) –  New Jerseyans who receive food assistance through the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NJ SNAP) will continue to receive enhanced food assistance benefits in March to help address needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

A 15 percent increase in SNAP benefits that began in January remains in effect through June.

Human Services has also been providing SNAP households with the maximum benefits since March 2020 when the pandemic began, and those supplements will be provided this March to about 278,000 households. The 15 percent increase is independent of the monthly SNAP supplements and will be given to every SNAP household, so all NJ SNAP recipients will again get at least a 15 percent increase, depending on household size and income.

When March’s benefits are paid, Human Services will have distributed $547.4 million in total supplemental monthly SNAP payments since March 2020 to New Jersey residents.

“We’re steadfast in our commitment to provide as much additional food security as possible to New Jersey families,” Acting Commissioner Sarah Adelman said. “These additional SNAP benefits will once again provide much-needed help for thousands of New Jerseyans as we continue through this public health and economic crisis.”

“Increased food assistance remains crucial,” Deputy Commissioner Elisa Neira said. “We are dedicated to helping as many families as we can during this challenging period, and are pleased to continue this assistance.”

The monthly supplemental payments are contingent upon month-to-month United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approval. The USDA can approve supplemental SNAP payments for states as long as the federal government has declared a public health emergency and the state has issued an emergency declaration.

The increased benefits will be directly loaded to NJ SNAP recipients’ Families First EBT cards as part of their regular monthly payment.

NJ SNAP provides food assistance to families with low incomes to help them buy groceries through a benefit card accepted in most food retail stores and farmer’s markets.  Families can also use their cards online through Amazon and participating locations of Aldi, ShopRite, The Fresh Grocer and Walmart.

NJ SNAP serves about 815,000 New Jerseyans in about 419,000 households, with the monthly SNAP benefit based on household size and income.

Residents can visit njhelps.org to see if they’re eligible for SNAP and apply.