Local Relief Agency Says SNAP Benefit Cuts May Surprise Recipients
Thursday, October 24, 2013
By: Nicole Creston

October 24th, 2013 | WMFE - The 3.6 million Floridians who receive food stamps through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, are about to have their benefits cut. And at least one local relief agency fears those reductions may come as a shock to many families.

Eric Gray is Executive Director of Community Food and Outreach Center in Orlando. He says his organization has been bracing for the November 1^st cuts as 2009’s post-recession federal stimulus spending ends, but he doesn’t think many SNAP recipients know what’s coming.

“We’ve heard a great deal here internally – our concern is that our customers and the clients that we see on a regular basis have not heard enough, and will be presented with these cuts in a surprise fashion,” says Gray.

He says the reductions will be a strain on families already struggling to put food on the table. 

The amount of the cuts will vary, but on average, a family of four will receive $36 less per month.