While many people are facing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there may be some assistance available in the form of additional food stamps. Some states have announced that they will be providing extra food stamps in June to help individuals and families who are struggling. The amount of additional food stamps that a person or family may receive will vary depending on their income and household size. To find out if you are eligible for extra food stamps, you should contact your local food stamp office. The additional food stamps can be used to purchase groceries at authorized retailers.
Emergency Allotments Authorization
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Congress authorized emergency allotments to provide supplemental food stamp benefits to households facing financial difficulties. These additional benefits were set to expire in April 2023, but recent legislation has extended them through September 2023.
The emergency allotments provide an extra $95 per month for individuals and $194 per month for families of four. These benefits are automatically loaded onto EBT cards, and there is no need to apply separately.
In June 2023, households will receive their regular SNAP benefits plus the emergency allotment. This means that a family of four will receive a total of $835 in food stamp benefits in June ($641 in regular benefits + $194 in emergency allotment).
Expiration of Emergency Allotments
The emergency allotments are scheduled to expire on September 30, 2023. After that date, households will only receive their regular SNAP benefits.
The expiration of the emergency allotments could have a significant impact on food security for millions of Americans. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the loss of these benefits could push 1.2 million people into poverty, including 540,000 children.
Advocacy Efforts
Advocacy groups are working to convince Congress to extend the emergency allotments beyond September 2023. They argue that the pandemic is still causing economic hardship for many families and that the extra food stamp benefits are essential for preventing hunger.
Whether or not the emergency allotments will be extended is still uncertain. However, the Biden administration has expressed support for extending the benefits, and some members of Congress have also voiced their support.
Conclusion
The emergency allotments have been a critical lifeline for millions of Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The expiration of these benefits could have a devastating impact on food security for many families.
Advocacy groups are working to convince Congress to extend the emergency allotments beyond September 2023. Whether or not the benefits will be extended is still uncertain, but the Biden administration and some members of Congress have expressed their support for doing so.
SNAP Supplementary Payments Extension
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, provides monthly benefits to help low-income individuals and families buy the food they need for good health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government has provided additional SNAP benefits to help people cope with the economic fallout. These extra benefits, known as emergency allotments (EAs), were scheduled to end in May 2023, but the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 extended them through March 2024.
Qualification for Extra SNAP Benefits
- Households receiving SNAP benefits in February 2023 will continue receiving the maximum monthly benefit allotment for their household size through March 2024.
- Benefits for households already receiving the maximum benefit will remain unchanged.
Important Dates to Remember:
- February: SNAP households will receive their regular benefits plus the extra SNAP benefits.
- March: SNAP households will receive their regular benefits plus the extra SNAP benefits.
- April: Regular SNAP benefits will resume.
Impact of the Extension
The SNAP benefit extension will provide much-needed assistance to millions of low-income individuals and families. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the extension will help keep 2.6 million people out of poverty, including 830,000 children.
Conclusion
The extension of the SNAP emergency allotments is a welcome relief for millions of low-income individuals and families struggling to make ends meet. This extension will provide critical food assistance and help keep people out of poverty.
For more information on the SNAP emergency allotments or to apply for SNAP benefits, please visit the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website or contact your local SNAP office.
Pandemic-EBT
The Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) program provides food benefits to families with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school. The P-EBT program was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused many schools to close or operate remotely, making it difficult for children to access school meals.
Extending Pandemic-EBT
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the P-EBT program through the summer of 2023. This means that eligible families will continue to receive P-EBT benefits even if their children are not attending school in person.
How Much Will I Get?
The amount of P-EBT benefits you receive will depend on the number of children in your household and their eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. The maximum benefit amount is $391 per child for the 2022-2023 school year.
How Can I Apply?
To apply for P-EBT benefits, you will need to contact your local school district or state agency. The application process may vary depending on your state.
Other Resources
In addition to P-EBT benefits, there are other resources available to families who are struggling to afford food. These resources include:
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
- The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
| Number of Children | Benefit Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 | $391 |
| 2 | $782 |
| 3 | $1,173 |
| 4 | $1,564 |
| 5 | $1,955 |
Summer P-EBT
The Summer Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program is a federal program that provides assistance with the cost of food to eligible families with children who normally receive free or reduced-price school meals.
Eligibility
- Children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program.
- Children who are enrolled in a Head Start Program or Child Development Program.
- Children who are homeless, migrant, or living in institutions.
Benefits
- The amount of benefits that a family receives will be based on their income and the number of children in the household.
- The benefits will be loaded onto an EBT card, which can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers.
- Benefits do not get carried over from month to month.
To Apply
- Families do not need to apply for Summer P-EBT.
- Eligible families will automatically receive the benefits.
Other Programs
| Program | Eligibility | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Low-income individuals and families | Provides monthly benefits to purchase food. |
| Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) | Pregnant women, postpartum women, and children under age 5 | Provides supplemental food and nutrition education. |
| The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) | Low-income individuals and families | Provides emergency food assistance to households in need. |
Alright guys, that’s all I got for you today. I know this is a hot topic and there’s a lot of uncertainty out there, but I hope this article has helped shed some light on the situation. Remember, this is all based on the latest information available, and things can always change. Be sure to check back with us later for any updates or new developments. In the meantime, stay informed and take care of yourselves. Thanks for reading, folks!