Hunger-Free Pennsylvania

Mar 3, 2023

Pandemic-era food stamps end March 1 for nearly 30M Americans on SNAP

Food organizations gear up to meet increased needs after SNAP benefits end

⛔ Pandemic-era emergency payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, ended on Feb. 28, meaning the state will receive $200 million less in federal food assistance benefits each month. Help is available! Please see the information on food assistance resources from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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Pennsylvania Hunger Caucus chair Pa. state Rep. Emily Kinkead joined the Pa. Hunger Action Coalition to sound the alarm that Pennsylvania faces a "Hunger Cliff" with ending of SNAP benefits that so many people relied on during the pandemic to keep themselves and their families fed. More at http://www.pahouse.com/Kinkead

RECENT NEWS COVERAGE:

abc27 News -- Nearly 2M Pennsylvanians will be impacted by SNAP benefits changes:

6abc Philadelphia -- Pandemic-era food stamps end March 1 for nearly 30M Americans: 'We're really going to struggle'

Deanna Hardy of Marshfield, Wisconsin, is stocking up on pricier food items like meat, eggs and salmon before her family's monthly food stamp benefits are drastically reduced.

"We're really going to struggle," the mom of two told ABC News. "We're going to have to end up going back to cheaper items like noodles and processed stuff because the meat, the dairy, fruits and veggies. It's expensive."

Deanna Hardy is one of nearly 30 million Americans bracing for a significant cut in their monthly food assistance. After nearly three years, the federal government is ending pandemic-era payments on March 1 for low-income families on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

NBC News -- SNAP benefits helped support many American families and get food on their tables during the pandemic, but now boosts to the program are ending on March 1st.

WGAL 8 -- A Lancaster County family is feeling the pinch after extra benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ended:

Fox 43 News -- Officials, food banks prepare for end of additional SNAP benefits:

Read the full article

A “hunger cliff” is looming for millions of Americans on food stamps in March, when Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will shrink nationwide.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government passed an emergency increase in SNAP benefits. Most recipients received about $95 more per month for the last three years.

The added benefit will expire on March 1 for 32 states, including Pennsylvania. Seventeen other states have already seen their benefits expire since the start of the year.

The decrease will affect 41.5 million Americans, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and 1.9 million Pennsylvanians, according to the Pa. Department of Human Services (DHS). Read the full article here.

CBS Pittsburgh -- Cuts to SNAP benefits to impact 2 million Pennsylvanians:

FOX 29 Philadelphia -- US ending extra help for groceries that started during COVID:

NBC10 Philadelphia -- Millions of Americans Are About to Have SNAP Benefits Cut:

NBC News -- Schools mired with debt after school meals federal funds end:

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A federal program providing free meals for more than 50 million students during the pandemic ended at the beginning of the fall semester. Since September, 900 schools have since racked up over $19 million in debt, according to the School Nutrition Association. Families are now struggling to find lunch money as many don’t qualify for free or reduced lunch programs. NBC News’ Zinhe Essamuah speaks with families struggling to find their children’s next meals.

69News WFMZ-TV -- As extra SNAP benefits end, Berks community groups coming together for families in need

https://www.wfmz.com/video/as-extra-snap-benefits-end-berks-community-groups-coming-together-for-families-in-need/video_8bd4c21d-2337-56ec-9bdf-cdeca7e19170.html