Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Sep. 28, that benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will increase next month for households in New York by approximately $36 per person in low-income households. The increase is the result of a federal cost adjustment and it will affect about 2.8 million households enrolled in the program. A family of four will see their maximum SNAP allotment increase from $680 to $835 under the plan. At the same time, the dollar amount for the standard deduction and utility allowances is being adjusted upward. That factors in a household's gross monthyl income to determine eligibility and benefits. The gross monthly income level was also increased. "Now more than ever, New Yorkers are seeing their money for food stretched thinner and thinner, which in turn forces them into making food choices that are cheaper, but far less nutritious," Hochul said. "This long-overdue increase in benefits will give households across New York State the purchasing power to buy nutritious foods, which in turn will ultimately result in healthier outcomes." Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.