This month, around 27 percent of Louisiana SNAP recipients will see less money from the program. While that may come as a shock to some, SNAP amounts change every year based on income.

Since the Social Security Administration adjusted the federal cost-of-living, some people are getting more money through other programs, which bumps up income totals.

“They base that increase, or decrease or sometimes it stays the same, on the Consumer Price Index. This year, it was 2.8 percent, so all SSI and Social Security recipients received an increase of their income by 2.8 percent,” Louisiana DCFS Deputy Assistant Secretary Sammy Guillory said.

That income increase for people on social security and SSI brings a decrease in SNAP benefits. Around 105,000 Louisiana households will see the SNAP decrease this new year. That’s around 27 percent of SNAP recipients in the state. Officials are reminding people that you will only see a decrease if you are getting more somewhere else.

“According to our numbers, the average increase in Social Security and SSI is around $21 a month. The average decrease in SNAP benefits, I would guess, is around $7,” Guillory said.

Guillory said for every $3 increase, it wil result in about a $1 decrease. This federal income adjustment happens every year for recipients across the country. It is completely unrelated to the government shutdown.