CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — SNAP benefits will be returning to pre-2020 amounts starting on March 1, 2023, according to a release from the West Virginia DHHR in January.

The DHHR wants to remind SNAP recipients that the COVID-19 SNAP Emergency Allotments (EA) will be ending in March due to funding for the allotments being discontinued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

According to Kent Nowviskie, West Virginia DHHR Bureau for Family Assistance Deputy Commissioner, every recipient is going to see their benefits decrease by at least $95. The average reduction recipients will see is around $120, but for larger households with lower income, it could be more than that.

You can visit this page to find more information about assistance and resource programs in your community, and you can reach your caseworker by calling WV 211.

Nowviskie also said, “as a result of the Omnibus Spending Bill that Congress passed in December, the Consolidated Appropriations Act – that program is coming to an end at the end of this month. So February was the last month. Congress is taking that money that was earmarked for that program and using it to allow states to set up a permanent summer EBT program for school children who would qualify for free and reduced lunch.”

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) began its Emergency Allotments program in April 2020 which increased household benefits to the maximum amount allowed by the USDA. Each household that receives SNAP benefits will also receive a letter notifying them of this change.

“Effective March 1, 2023, monthly SNAP benefits will return to the pre-COVID-19 Public Health Emergency level and will again be based on the household’s income, assets, household size and other non-financial factors,” said a DHHR release in January.

Janie Cole, Interim Commissioner of DHHR’s Bureau for Family Assistance, encourages recipients to begin budgeting as soon as possible to plan for benefit changes.

Any questions relating to SNAP should be directed to the Department of Health and Human Resources Office of Constituent Services at 1-877-716-1212 or to a local DHHR office.