Senate agriculture committee approves farm bill

A boost to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that was written into the 2009 stimulus bill lapsed on Friday, cutting benefits for around 47 million Americans on food stamps. The 13.6 percent cut amounts to roughly $36 per month for a family of four, or $29 per month for a family of three. One in seven Americans currently receives food stamp benefits.

Food stamp programs face additional cuts when the House and Senate agree on a new farm bill. Each chamber's proposal cuts food stamps, but the House's proposed cuts are much deeper.