(LOOTPRESS) – Even with the federal government shutdown underway, scheduled changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) took effect Oct. 1 — the start of both the month and the federal fiscal year.

SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, provides monthly benefits to help low-income individuals and families afford groceries.

Each October, the U.S. Department of Agriculture adjusts SNAP benefit levels to account for cost-of-living increases.

This year’s adjustment brought only modest changes. For most households in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the increase amounts to less than 2%, while grocery prices have risen nearly 3% over the past year.

A single recipient will now receive up to $298 per month, just $6 more than before. A family of four w

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