SNAP benefits back to pre-COVID amounts in February

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, additional food assistance benefits available during the COVID-19 pandemic will end nationwide in February.

The big picture: Almost three years later, the amount of support provided to low-income households to combat food insecurity through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will return to pre-pandemic levels.

• The emergency allocation allowed SNAP households to receive an additional $95 or more in benefits.

Details: Emergency allocations have already ended in 17 states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wyoming.

• In South Carolina, emergency allocations expire after January payments are issued.
• Additional funding for the remaining 32 states, Washington DC, Guam and the US Virgin Islands will end with the March benefit.

in numbers: According to USDA data, more than 41 million Americans used SNAP benefits in 2022.

enlargement: These changes will undoubtedly affect many Americans, including Oklahoma, one of the states whose additional benefits are due to expire.

• Chris Bernard, President and CEO of Hunger Free Oklahoma, said, “We believe these increased benefits have been important to many Oklahomaans over the past three years and that this change will impact some SNAP users more than others, particularly their elderly and disabled neighbors. I know it’s going crazy.” , said per The Hill.
• “Certainly, this will increase demand for charities across the state and increase the need for Oklahomaans to support local food pantries and food banks.”

Take a closer look: Iowa legislators withdraw severe restrictions on SNAP-eligible foods.