Beginning in October, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the official name for food stamps, increased monthly allotments by 12.5%. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the federal agency that oversees the program, said the increase was due to soaring inflation that’s taken a toll on grocery budgets.

The boost affected 41 million recipients across the country and is the largest percentage increase in almost 50 years. It comes as 34 states, including Alabama, continue to pay pandemic assistance to SNAP recipients equaling a minimum of an extra $95 per month.