WIC Items and Food Stamps: The Impact of Pandemic Relief Program End

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, has been providing critical support to millions of Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with the emergency allotments set to end in March 2023, recipients are bracing for a significant reduction in benefits.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the average food stamp benefit will decrease from around $9 per person per day to about $6 per person per day without the pandemic boost. This reduction will be felt across the 32 states and the District of Columbia that were still providing emergency allotments, which increased monthly benefits to the maximum for the household's size or at least $95 a month.

The end of the emergency allotments will have a significant impact on food banks and pantries, already stretched thin by increased demand due to rising grocery prices. Food stamp recipients in states that have already terminated the program are feeling the pinch, with some larger families experiencing monthly reductions of up to $250 or more.

'This is something that people are going to notice,' said Dottie Rosenbaum, director of federal SNAP policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. 'It's $3 billion a month that's going to food that's not going to be there anymore.'

The reduction in benefits will also affect households with children, who were previously receiving summer benefits as part of a permanent program to provide funds for grocery purchases during school breaks.

As the pandemic hunger relief program comes to an end, it is crucial for individuals and families to prepare for this change. With food costs on the rise, every dollar counts. By understanding the impact of the benefit reduction, we can work together to ensure that everyone has access to the nutritious food they need.

Sources:

* Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

* Propel (software company providing an app to check SNAP benefit balances)

* Federal data from November 2022

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