On Wednesday, April 13, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extended the COVID-19 public health emergency, helping millions of households to more easily access federal nutrition programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Relief measures that have been tied to the duration of the public health emergency by Congress include SNAP Emergency Allotments and waivers that streamline access to SNAP and WIC.
But a steep “hunger cliff” looms. When the federal PHE ends, it is estimated that most SNAP participants will lose $82 a month in SNAP benefits. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra has previously pledged to give at least 60 days’ notice before ending the emergency. For more information and to read the public health emergency declaration, click here.
