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How will the minimum wage increase affect SNAP benefits? | 11 Listens

The minimum wage increase has some snap recipients concerned about how this could affect their benefits. 11 Listens got answers.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - Some Arkansans will start the new year off with more money in their wallets as the state plans to raise the minimum wage in 2019.

But the increase in pay has some snap recipients concerned about how this could affect their benefits.

11 Listens went to get answers.

Starting in January, Arkansans can expect to see the minimum wage go up from $8.50 an hour to $9.25. and by 2021, it'll jump to 11 dollars an hour. But for recipients of the supplemental nutrition assistance program or snap, there's a common question about whether their benefits will be impacted by the increase in income.

"That change in income doesn't change the income limit set by the federal government and so if a person does make minimum wage and the minimum wage goes up in the next year then that could have an impact on eligibility," said Marci Manley the Deputy Chief of Communications for the Department of Human Services.

Snap aims to help eligible families and individuals afford fresh healthy food and support their families. But there are many factors to consider under the eligibility requirements.

"That's going to depend on your household size, so a household of one person is going to have a different income eligibility requirement than a household of seven people. There are different deductions for the type of individuals that live in that household,” said Manley.

All factors to consider once minimum wage goes up at the start of the year. But since every case is different, you might want to check with your local DHS county office.

"We have offices in every county across the state and there is program staff there that know the program and walk them through that process and answer those questions,” said Manley.

If you have a question or concern about something, send an email to 11listens@thv11.com.

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