Because of provisions in the federal welfare reform legislation, Kansans who are receiving both cash assistance and food stamps will have their monthly food stamp benefit lowered by about $6 per person beginning February 1.

The lowered food stamp benefit for persons receiving cash assistance comes about because the federal law disallows an $18 per person energy supplement that previously was excluded as income in determining food stamp benefits in Kansas. This state was one of only a handful that previously allowed a portion of cash assistance to be designated energy assistance.

Under food stamp regulations, energy assistance was not considered income and not used in determining food stamp benefits. The federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, passed in August, disallowed this practice.

People affected by the food stamp benefit cut are those receiving cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Families (TAF) program (which replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program under federal welfare reform) or the General Assistance program.

Under prior federal rules, Kansas designated a portion of cash assistance as an energy supplement. And federal rules governing food stamp benefit levels exempted energy payments as income.

The change is effective with February, 1997 food stamp benefits. It is estimated about 55,000 people will be affected by the change. Beneficiaries will receive notice in early January of the change.

The Food Stamp program is offered to all households whose income falls below 130 percent of the national poverty level. It is a federal program administered by states.

In September of 1996, the Kansas Food Stamp program supplemented the food budgets of 163,172 people. The average monthly benefit was $65 per person.

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001