Applicants for SNAP benefits, SSI payments, and SSDI payments may have an easier time after the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service collaborated with the Social Security Administration.

The partnership aims to help connect people to Supplemental Security Income and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

The strengthened agreement allows the existing practice of SSA employees notifying SSI applicants and recipients about SNAP benefits to be continued.

Deputy undersecretary for U.S.D.A.'s Food, Nutrition, and Customer Services, Stacy Dean, said in a statement that allowing SSI applicants and recipients to apply for SNAP with SSA fast tracks the process, with applicants avoiding the same paperwork to several offices.

It will also allow the use of telephonic signatures for SNAP applications. In addition, Social Security can provide Agriculture Department the data on how many SSI applicants are not receiving SNAP and where they stopped in their applications.

The SSA and Department of Agriculture will also launch an online SNAP application, which will be an alternative to the paper-based process. The pilot program will start with up to five state agencies, according to an SSA spokesperson.

SSA will then review its online initial screening and appointment request tool, which is called the protective filing tool, to identify places to include SNAP information.

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Apply For SNAP Benefits With Social Security Administration

The Agriculture Department will reimburse SSA for time and resources spent conducting SNAP screenings and forwarding SNAP applications to local offices in various states.

Dean said that they are continually working to make it easier for all people to access nutrition assistance, especially those who are part of vulnerable populations such as those with a disability or blindness.

People age 65 or older are also prioritized when giving assistance.

Meanwhile, the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration Dr. Kilolo Kijakazi said that they are partnering with the Agriculture Department to test more efficient ways to apply, disseminate information, and assist families when applying for SNAP benefits.

Data sharing is often blocked by differences regarding the agencies' process of interpreting data privacy protections.

SNAP Benefits and SSI Payments

SNAP benefits provide low-income households with food-purchasing assistance through the benefits, which are usually deposited into SNAP accounts linked to Electronic Benefit Transfer cards on a monthly basis, depending on the state's schedule.

Several retailers such as Target or Walmart accept EBT cards to procure SNAP-eligible items, which are items that can be prepared at home.

On the other hand, SSI payments are benefits to people who have limited income or resources.

Eligible individuals can receive SSI monthly payments worth $194 for 2023, while an eligible couple can receive as much as $1,371 per month for 2023.

Meanwhile, the maximum allotments for SNAP benefits for a family of four have increased, with 48 states and D.C. to distribute as much as $939 in 2023.

In Alaska, the amount is between $1,172 and $1,819. Maximum SNAP benefits for a family of four in Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will receive $1,794, $1,385, and $1,208, respectively.

READ MORE: Disaster SNAP Benefits Update: Are You Eligible for New Florida Payments?

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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