A bonus incentive plan for SNAP recipients has been introduced in two states, Colorado and Washington, providing an extra $60 in benefits each month for purchasing fruits and vegetables at participating retailers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) granted $25 million in funding for states to test Electronic Healthy Incentives Projects (eHIP), which offers additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to recipients. SNAP assists low-income households across the U.S. and territories by providing monthly financial aid through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards that can be used at participating stores.
Colorado and Washington are the first states to implement the eHIP project, with Colorado now offering up to $20 per transaction, with a maximum of $60 per month in reimbursements to SNAP recipients. This initiative aims to make it easier for SNAP households to access healthy foods for their well-being and health. In Colorado, average SNAP benefits are $214 per month, and with the bonus incentives, recipients could see a 28 percent increase in their monthly benefits. Participating retailers include market stalls and farm stands that offer a variety of fruits and vegetables, enabling recipients to automatically receive reimbursements on their EBT cards when they purchase eligible foods.
The rollout of the eHIP project in Colorado and Washington will soon be followed by Louisiana, as the USDA grant funding is being utilized in various states to promote healthier food choices among SNAP beneficiaries. Eligible foods for reimbursement include all fruits and vegetables, including frozen options without added salt, sugar, or fat. Recipients can also earn bonuses for purchasing dried fruits and vegetables and beans at farmers markets. The bonuses can be used at any store accepting SNAP benefits to purchase additional groceries beyond fruits and vegetables. The project emphasizes promoting access to healthy foods and improving well-being among SNAP recipients.
The bonus incentive plan is accessible to SNAP recipients in Colorado and Washington through participating retailers, including market stalls and farm stands that offer a variety of fruits and vegetables. Recipients do not need to sign up for the program but can simply shop at participating locations to receive reimbursements on their EBT cards. In Colorado, the plan is available at retailers in major cities like Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins, providing additional assistance to low-income households for purchasing healthy foods. The initiative aims to encourage healthier food choices and improve the overall well-being of SNAP beneficiaries.
In addition to the bonus incentive plan, SNAP recipients will also see slightly higher maximum benefits later in the year due to cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increases announced by the USDA. These increases will be implemented in all U.S. states and territories except Hawaii in October, providing additional support to SNAP beneficiaries. The combination of bonus incentives for purchasing fruits and vegetables and higher maximum benefits demonstrates efforts to enhance food access and affordability for low-income households through the SNAP program. Moving forward, more states are likely to implement similar initiatives to promote healthier eating habits and improve the overall health outcomes of SNAP recipients across the country.
