SNAP Program (Formerly Food Stamps) Change to Affect Oklahoma Households

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- A modification to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will begin April 1.  SNAP, formerly the food stamp program, helps feed more than 600,000 Oklahomans each month.
Currently, SNAP customers receive their benefits on the first of each month. In an effort to allow grocers more time to restock their shelves with nutritious foods, those benefits will now be issued on three different days.

“Beginning April 1, the new plan will be phased in over a four-month period,” said Kathie Wright, SNAP Program Manager for the OKDHS. “The Oklahoma Grocer’s Association asked us to make this change so their retail store membership could better serve their customers. By adding two more issuance dates, grocers will be able to adequately stock their shelves, and provide fresher fruits and vegetables.”

SNAP households will be divided into three groups using the last digit of each case number. For example, case numbers ending in 0-3 will continue to receive benefits on the first of each month. Case numbers ending in 4-6 will receive benefits on the 5th of each month, and case numbers ending in 7-9 will move to the 10th of each month.

“We don’t expect any major problems with this change,” Wright said. “It will simply allow for better service to our customers. Undoubtedly there may be some initial confusion as we implement the additional days, so we urge our customers to contact their local county social worker for any questions they may have.”

Beginning April 2011, the plan will be phased in over four months using the following schedule:

Please note: Two additional “one time only” issuance dates were added in April (3rd) and June (7th) to better transition those households moving to the 5th or 10th issuance date.

Direct any questions to your local county social worker.

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