Policy and Advocacy We have some important news on SNAP Emergency Allotments (EAs). Last week, DHS Acting Secretary Snead announced that FNS has approved Pennsylvania’s ability to issue EAs through Dec. 31, 2021, or until the federal public health emergency ends, whichever is sooner. This is a relief for families receiving SNAP benefits, who will continue to get extra benefits in the second half of the month to help put food on the table as they work to gain economic stability (see the schedule in our July EA flyer). It’s also good news for food retailers and farmers, and a big boost to the PA economy. Earlier this week we hosted a webinar about “Extra Nutrition Help for Young Kids this Summer" with our partner, Just Harvest. The session provided information to help eligible families with young children (ages 0-5) enroll in SNAP and WIC. By participating in these programs, their children will not only access the nutritional support each program typically provides, but additional benefits that Congress has provided in response to the pandemic. By enrolling in SNAP, families receive an “Emergency Allotment” (EA) in the second half of the month, as well as Summer P-EBT for their kids ages 0-5 (many K-12 students will also receive Summer P-EBT, but rules and issuances are slightly different because eligibility is linked to free and reduced-price school meals). And, if families with young children enroll in WIC, they will get enhanced benefits to purchase fruits and vegetables ($35/person each month through Sept. 2021). Below are the materials from the webinar. We hope you will share them widely so that families can get added support for their young children’s health and development: - Here are the slides/presentation, as well as a recording of the presentation
- Of course families in our region can call our SNAP hotline for help (215-430-0556), but those in other parts of PA can contact one of these agencies that also provide SNAP application assistance by phone
- We also have videos explaining P-EBT for kids age 0-5 in English and Spanish
- Thanks to Thriving PA, there is also a WIC toolkit with social media posts and flyers in English and Spanish to spread the word about the increased fruit and vegetable benefit
Last, but certainly not least, in a previous update, we shared information about SNAP eligibility for immigrant and mixed status families. We wanted to let you know that this information has now been translated and is available in multiple languages (Arabic, simplified Chinese, English, French, Khmer, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese). We hope you will share these and encourage those eligible for SNAP to apply! |
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