About 1.6 million Georgians will soon see a bump in food stamp benefits after the federal government announced a permanent increase of about 25% in monthly funds.

The boost in maximum allowed benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — commonly known as food stamps — goes into effect in October.

In Georgia, that means the average four-person household will go from receiving a maximum of $680 per month in SNAP benefits last year to $835 beginning Oct. 1, according to data from the Division of Family and Children Services, which administers the state’s program.

Out of 7,569 households in Chattooga County, 1,792 receive food stamps – or roughly 20% of the total number of families in the county.