Maintaining SNAP Benefits A Priority For USDA, Vilsack Says

One of the priorities of the USDA under the Biden Administration, according to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack is to maintain the current increased SNAP benefits.

"I think it's fair to say that the SNAP benefit is, in many cases, not adequate enough to provide the help and assistance that is needed," Vilsack noted. "So the 15% increase, which has been extended through September, very important consideration adding for a family of four about $102 dollars of additional support and help."

The Ag Secretary added using SNAP has become more convenient. 

"Over 1.5 million recipients are currently using to purchase online in 46 states across this country," Vilsack continued. "And we also reversed the Trump rules on 'able body without dependents to make sure that folks who are in need got the help that in fact needed.  As we were calculating the SNAP benefit we didn't include the unemployment compensation and benefits that people received as a result of suddenly finding themselves unemployed."

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