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Pandemic-era relief programs are phasing out, which includes the recent conclusion of the Emergency SNAP Allotments (“extra COVID SNAP benefits”). For the past three years, thanks to federal funding, families in CT and many other states have received additional SNAP benefits that they would not have otherwise qualified for. With this program having ended in February 2023, families are facing a sudden blow to their grocery budgets during a time when food prices and other living costs continue to soar – $82 less in benefits per month on average – and it’s going to create a hunger cliff.
When the hunger cliff hits (starting right about now), millions nationwide are at risk of falling back into poverty. Research estimates that extra COVID SNAP benefits kept 4.2 million people above the poverty line in the last quarter of 2021, reducing poverty by 10 percent ― and child poverty by 14 percent. In 2022, most SNAP households had income levels below the poverty line, and the end of emergency benefits will make it even harder to feed their families during record inflation.
This year, Congress can strengthen SNAP in the 2023 Farm Bill, where SNAP makes up a large portion of the budget. The Farm Bill is comprehensive legislation that is reassessed every five years and authorizes most federal policies governing food and agriculture programs, including SNAP. Reauthorization offers policymakers an opportunity to review the programs included in the legislation, consider programmatic changes, and address implementation barriers. The current Farm Bill expires in September of 2023, but now is the time to advocate for positive changes. There is an alarming increase of calls from some policymakers to enact deep cuts and harmful changes to SNAP this year in the budget process and in the Farm Bill. Now is a critical to oppose these cuts and advocate for improvements to policies that strengthen SNAP, such as benefit adequacy and equitable program access. Advocates can contact their Congress members now and urge them to support strengthening SNAP and opposing cuts in the 2023 Farm Bill.
- DSS ‘SNAP’ website and contact info
- CT State Fact Sheet on Effect of Emergency Allotments Ending (FRAC)
- State by State Fact Sheets on SNAP (CBPP)
- DSS ‘Extra COVID SNAP Benefits’ – FAQs
- DSS “Update Us so we can Update You” Website
- DSS ‘Extra COVID SNAP Benefits’ – Info for Program Partners
- DSS ‘Extra COVID SNAP Benefits’ – Info for SNAP clients
- Search for food resources at 211CT.org
- Connecticut Foodshare pantry/mobile pantry information
- Federal government announcement on the end of extra COVID SNAP benefits
- Farm Bill 2023 Key Priorities (FRAC)
About us: End Hunger CT! works statewide to eliminate hunger and promote healthy nutrition through outreach, public education, and advocacy. EHC! offers SNAP assistance, nutrition program promotion, doubles SNAP at farmers’ markets, and more to help CT residents in need. To learn more about our services, click here.
Have any questions? Contact our Communications Coordinator, Kimberly Nguyen, at knguyen@endhungerct.org.
