Food Stamp Program Changes To Affect Oklahomans

NewsOn6.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Changes are taking place in the times food stamp recipients receive their benefits. The changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, begin April 1 and are being phased in over a four-month period, according to Kathie Wright, SNAP Program manager for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

The changes will affect more than 600,000 Oklahomans who receive food stamps.

SNAP recipients have been getting their benefits on the first of each month. Starting in April, benefits will be issued on three different days. The change is to allow grocers more time to restock their shelves with nutritious foods, Wright said.

"The Oklahoma Grocer's Association asked us to make this change so their retail store membership could better serve their customers," she said.

The date each household receives benefits is based on the last digit of each case number - actually the sixth number shown. For example, if the case number is C123456789, the "6" is the number that counts. The last three digits are what DHS calls the "person number."

• Case numbers ending in 0-3 continue to get their benefits on the 1st of the month.
• Case numbers ending in 4-6 will now get benefits on the 5th of each month.
• Case numbers ending in 7-9 will move to the 10th of each month.

"Undoubtedly there may be some initial confusion as we implement the additional days, so we urge our customers to contact their local county social worker for any questions they may have," Wright said.

There are two additional "one time only" issuance dates that will affect people with case numbers from 4 to 9 in April and June. To find out more, go to the DHS website.