Starting in November, families and individuals enrolled in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will see a decrease in their monthly benefits.

The decrease is due to the expiration of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that took effect in 2009. The government looks at several factors when issuing SNAP benefits, including income, household size and expenses. The decrease in benefits will be based on each recipients circumstances.

The Alabama Department of Human Resources reports that a family of four who receive the maximum amount will see their supplement decrease from $668 to $632 per month, and an individual receiving the maximum benefit will see a decline from $200 a month to $189.

Each family and individual who takes part in SNAP will get a notice in the mail telling them the exact changes made to their benefits. Recipients can also call 1-800-382-0499, after November first, to find out more about the monthly benefit changes.

SNAP is 100 percent federally funded though the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, and may only be used to buy food.

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