Pinedale on the Web!
Pinedale, Wyoming
Home | Calendar of Events | Photo Gallery | Local Businesses |

CHEYENNE – A $25-a-week unemployment benefit issued as part of the economic stimulus act no longer is counted as income for those applying for the state’s food stamp program, according to the Wyoming Department of Family Services.

The food stamp program (now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) uses both income and resources for determining eligibility and benefit amount for those who qualify. Until early November, that $25-a-week benefit was counted as income. As a result of federal action, that’s no longer the case.

"That change led DFS to review all SNAP cases with unemployment for both November and December," said DFS SNAP Consultant Jacqueline Petroski. "That change affected relatively few clients, but for some it meant they did qualify for SNAP after all and for others it meant a slightly larger benefit amount."

Anyone who gets unemployment benefits and was denied SNAP between Feb. 15 and Oct. 31 should contact their local DFS office. (For a complete list of field offices, visit dfsweb.state.wy.us.)