The workgroup met earlier this week to discuss the communications plan for the staggered issuance for benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP (also known as the Food Stamps Program).

Starting July 1, participants will receive their benefits based on the last number in the birth year of the cardholder. If a person was born on Dec. 30, 1970, for example. they would receive their benefits on the 10^th day of the month. If they were born in 1972, they would receive them on the second day. Benefit will be distributed for the first 10 days of each month.

The group is working on emails, posters, fact sheets and other tools the Department of Health and Welfare, its partners, SNAP retailers and participants will use to exchange information about the schedule change over the next several months. 

In the meantime, Lori Wolff, administrator for the Division of Welfare, stressed the need for people who receive SNAP benefits to sign up for text alerts delivered when their benefits are loaded into their accounts. Participants also should consider signing up for an account online, so they can see their balance for the current month as well as the date in the next month their benefits will be available.

“We know this will be confusing for people, and we want to give them as many resources as possible so they can use their benefits most efficiently and plan ahead as much as possible,” Wolff said.

Participants can sign up for text alerts by calling 1-800-432-4328 or registering at ebtaccount.jpmorgan.com/chp.

Participants can also access their accounts online by setting up an account at idalink.idaho.gov.

Anyone with questions about the new schedule can call DHW at 1-877-456-1233.

Previous stories:

• Idaho Foodbank estimates an additional 6-8 truckloads of food will be needed for change in SNAP issuance
• DHW begins planning for multi-day issuance of SNAP benefits