October 9th, 2021 by WCBC Radio

Recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Maryland and Virginia are now set to retain access to emergency funds made available during the pandemic through at least the end of the year. During the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture created a waiver so that states could receive an “emergency allotment” of federal funds, meaning those who received SNAP benefits — formerly called food stamps — would receive the maximum amount available, as opposed to what they would have otherwise qualified for. D.C., Maryland and Virginia had all been participating in the program, but it appeared in early October that they would no longer receive the emergency allotment. A spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) told WTOP that emergency allotments will continue for SNAP recipients in the commonwealth, and that October benefits will be distributed on Oct. 16.