A temporary increase in the federal food stamp program, introduced in 2009 as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA), came to an end today as Congress failed to renew the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP).
The end of the increase cuts $5 billion, or about 6 percent, from the annual $75 billion food stamp budget.
The expired increase, for instance, will see a family of four, once receiving $668 a month in food stamps, receive $36 less a month in benefits.
The food stamp program is administered by the Department of Agriculture and is authorized in five-year segments as part of the federal omnibus bill covering all agricultural programs. Additional cuts of $40 billion in food stamps are on the table as Congress debates renewal of the farm program.