The Biden administration has increased the amount of government-provided food assistance distributed to approximately one in eight Americans each month. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Monday announced an increase of over 25% for funds used to buy food. The increased budget will be available starting in October to the 42 million people who receive food stamps – known formally as Snap benefits.

The average benefit will increase by about $36 (£26) per person, per month. Americans enrolled in the programme will see their monthly pre-pandemic allowance rise from $121 to about $157. In 2018, Congress ordered the USDA to review the Thrifty Food Plan, a diet plan created in 1962 which outlines nutritional needs for Americans and what budget is necessary to achieve them. The update is the largest permanent funding boost in the programme’s history.(BBC)…[+]