Food stamps partially funded
Staff writer
A program that helps poor people buy food, initially shut off Saturday, will be partially funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Partial restoration was ordered Friday after a federal court ordered that contingency funds be used to make payments.
Kansas Department for Children and Families plans to send partial benefits after USDA sends official notice showing how much each existing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program households should receive.
The program was halted because of an ongoing federal shutdown.
USDA had contended that its contingency fund could be used only for emergencies like disasters.
A new study estimates that 186,036 people, about 6% of state residents, use SNAP.
Average value of monthly benefits is $177 per person, the study concludes, with Kansas ranking 47th among states in percentage of population participating in SNAP.
Maximum monthly income is $4,696 for a family of one and $596 more for each additional family member.
The amount of assistance is based on household size and income.
Maximum benefits range from $298 for a household of one to $1,571 for a household of seven.