The emergency food assistance programs are set to be extended this month, providing additional SNAP benefits to eligible households. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is designed to provide economic relief to low- and moderate-income households around past due rent and utility bills for their primary residence accrued during the COVID-19 emergency. Eligible school-age children and children in child care programs can also receive temporary emergency food assistance (P-EBT) during the coming summer months. Federal Nutrition Programs such as the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), School Meals, WIC, and SNAP are all eligible for emergency allocations.
As long as there is a national public health emergency (PHE) and the state has a statewide declaration of emergency, states can choose to continue providing monthly emergency allocations. These allocations were authorized under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to help address the temporary food needs of SNAP households during the pandemic. In addition to children, eligible participants include infants ages 9 to 11 months who receive food package III, as well as women who have CVB food in their food package. Last September, the USDA extended approved WIC exemptions for remote certifications, food replacements and other flexibilities until 30 days after the public health emergency expired.
However, due to the USDA FNS hearing by state partner agencies that a safe and successful return to normal operations will require more than 30 days' notice once the nationally declared public health emergency ends, the USDA has now extended WIC exemptions to 90 days after the end of the public health declared nationally.Therefore, it is likely that emergency food stamps will continue into 2022 as long as there is a national public health emergency in place. The exact details of these programs may change over time, but they are designed to provide economic relief and assistance to those who need it most during this difficult time.
