USDA Approves Department of Social Services' Waiver Request Extending Food Stamp Increase

(Jefferson City, MO) The Department of Social Services has received waiver approval from the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service to extend Pandemic Food Stamp/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits through the month of May 2020.

This extension of P-SNAP benefits enables Missouri SNAP households to continue to receive the maximum Food Stamp/SNAP benefit amount for their household size. P-SNAP is part of the Families First Act and Missouri Food Stamp/SNAP benefit households automatically get the maximum benefit for their household size on the normal date their benefit is loaded onto their Electronic Benefit Transfer card. 

As of March 31, 2020, 311,401 Missouri households or 660,628 individuals receive Food Stamp/SNAP benefits.

The USDA, FNS approved and is currently working with the Department of Social Services to establish Food Stamp/SNAP Online Purchasing that will allow Missourians receiving Food Stamp/SNAP benefits to use their EBT card to purchase eligible food through online retailers, -more- Amazon and Walmart. The start date is yet to be announced; DSS anticipates it may be implemented sometime during the month of May. Food Stamp/SNAP Online Purchasing will become a permanent option for Missourians.

Missourians in need of information on Food Stamp, Medicaid, Child Care Subsidy, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefit programs can visit dss.mo.gov. Missourians can also apply for those services 24/7 online by visiting MyDSS.mo.gov, or sending completed applications and verification documents by email to FSD.Documents@dss.mo.gov, or by fax to 573-526-9400.