Richmond, VA—The SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Program will begin a staggered payment schedule on September 1, according to the Virginia Department of Social Services.
The Department urges recipients of SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps) to plan accordingly, as about 60 percent of Virginia's SNAP customers will initially experience a slight delay during the transition period, slated to last 2 months.
The transition is expected to be fully implemented by October, at which time some families will see a slight increase in benefits, due to a Cost-of-Living Adjustment.
Thomas Steinhauser, the Director of Benefit Programs, made the following statement concerning the change: "With this transition coming during the time children are returning to school, it will be helpful for parents to know that their children automatically qualify for the free school breakfast and lunch program if they are receiving SNAP benefits."
Virginia is one of only nine states which issues SNAP benefits once per month. Under the new process, benefits will be issued four times each month. The Virginia Department of Social Services sent letters to all current SNAP customers this summer, which explained the new schedule.
The new schedule is based off of recipients' case numbers:
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Case Number
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September 2012
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October 2012 and after
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Case numbers ending in 0, 1, 2, or 3
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1st Day of the Month
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1st Day of the Month
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Case numbers ending in 4 or 5
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4th Day of the Month
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4th Day of the Month
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Case numbers ending in 6 or 7
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4th Day of the Month
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7th Day of the Month
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Case numbers ending in 8 or 9
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4th Day of the Month
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9th Day of the Month
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For more information, please visit the Department of Social Service website here.
Copyright 2012 by Young Broadcasting of Richmond
