Reports show that unemployment claims have increased in Minnesota. | Pixabay
Reports show that unemployment claims have increased in Minnesota. | Pixabay
As of Aug. 7, approximately 854,600 people in Minnesota have filed for unemployment since March.
These numbers have been growing since Minnesota’s first case of COVID-19 was reported. The effects of the pandemic have thrust many people onto federally bankrolled food assistance programs.
The sudden spike in the need for assistance has cost taxpayers over $30 million, according to The Center Square.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, is the federal program that the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) uses to help residents who have low incomes.
For a family to be eligible for SNAP benefits, the household has to make an income at or below 165% of the federal poverty guidelines.
In March 2020, SNAP paid $40.1 million for 370,677 Minnesota residents. That number was down from $41.9 million when compared to March 2019.
In April 2020, the SNAP program paid $59.2 million for 404,496 Minnesota residents. Those numbers were increased from $42.1 million when compared to April 2019.
In May 2020, SNAP paid $76.6 million for 423,633 Minnesota residents. In May 2019, the cost was $34 million less.
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