Biden announces historic increase to US food stamps programme

US Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will increase by more than 25 percent beginning in October.

United States President Joe Biden’s administration announced on Monday that it has approved the largest permanent increase to food stamp benefits – a boost that the White House and proponents of the move hope will help low-income families afford healthier food choices when stocking their fridges and pantries. Starting in October, average benefits for food stamps — officially known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP — will increase more than 25 percent above pre-pandemic levels. Some 42 million people in the US – about one in eight — currently receive SNAP benefits.