Many New Jerseyans who receive food assistance through the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NJ SNAP) will receive additional benefits in May to help address critical food needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Eligible SNAP recipients will receive their supplemental benefit on their Families EBT card for May with their typical monthly payment. Eligible SNAP households are those who are not currently receiving the maximum allowable benefit. The supplemental payments will be the difference between their regular monthly benefit and the maximum allowable benefit.

 

 

The New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly called the Food Stamp Program) helps you and your family buy food needed for good health. You can buy food from most grocery stores and other retailers that sell food. If you meet the program guidelines, you will get a special debit card (called an EBT Card). This debit card comes with a certain amount of money already on it to pay for food. The amount of money you get on the card may depend on three things:

• household income from all sources (earned and unearned) such as money you get from a job, Social Security, SSI, or interest
• how many people live in your household
• where you live

You can use the card at most grocery stores, certain senior centers, and some meal delivery services such as Meals on Wheels. It works just like a regular debit card. You buy your groceries using the card and the cost is taken out of the total amount on the card. More money is put on your debit card on a monthly basis. In May, 2020 New Jerseyans will see an increase in their monthly benefit.