SNAP Benefits Increasing for Most Arkansas Recipients

By MADDIE BECKER

Two changes at the federal level mean most Arkansas recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will see a change in benefits this month. A majority of the 160,000 households enrolled in the program should see an increase in assistance, according to the Arkansas Department of Human Services, which administers the program locally.

Formerly known as food stamps, the program covers a portion of each qualifying household’s food budget, with benefits distributed through an electronic benefits transfer card.

At the end of September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture ended a temporary 15% increase in SNAP benefits which had been put in place to help during the COVID-19 pandemic. But Mary Franklin, director of DHS’ Division of County Operations, says for most households, that will be offset by a reevaluation of the federal Thrifty Food Plan, which SNAP benefits are based on.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/snap-benefits-increasing-most-arkansas-recipients

Bills Amending Telemedicine And SNAP Requirements Pass Arkansas Legislature

By SARAH KELLOGG

The Arkansas Legislature has passed bills that would amend telemedicine laws in an attempt to make permanent laws that are currently temporarily in place due to the pandemic.

The Arkansas Senate on Thursday voted 19-11 to pass House Bill 1063. Under the legislation, patients seeking medical care through telehealth would be able to seek care with a physician, without needing a prior face-to-face meeting. Instead an "real-time, interactive audio" meeting, which would include a phone call, would be enough to receive telehealth services. 

Currently, the in-person meeting requirement is suspended due to the public health emergency Gov. Asa Hutchinson implemented last year. 

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/bills-amending-telemedicine-and-snap-requirements-pass-arkansas-legislature

Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, presents House Bill 1063 to the Senate.

CREDIT ARKANSAS SENATE

Online Shopping Options In Arkansas Expanding For SNAP Recipients

Arkansans who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits will now be able to do more of their grocery shopping online. Arkansas’s Department of Human Services (DHS) announced the new program last week.

DHS spokeswoman Marci Manley said this will allow SNAP recipients to avoid shopping indoors, where the risk of contracting the coronavirus is higher.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/online-shopping-options-arkansas-expanding-snap-recipients

Online Shopping Options In Arkansas Expanding For SNAP Recipients

Arkansans who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits will now be able to do more of their grocery shopping online. Arkansas's Department of Human Services (DHS) announced the new program last week. DHS spokeswoman Marci Manley said this will allow SNAP recipients to avoid shopping indoors, where the risk of contracting the coronavirus is higher.