Dear Friends,

Our Coalition Against Hunger SNAP Hotline works to help individuals and families navigate the SNAP application process, but sometimes we also receive calls for things we aren’t able to assist with. We always want to provide callers with the best service that we can, and we know how frustrating it can be to reach out for help, only to be told that we can't help you. To avoid these frustrations, we’ve created a flyer outlining the services we provide. We can help:

1. Apply for SNAP benefits over the phone.
2. Submit a Semi-Annual Reporting Form (SAR) or Annual Recertification.
3. Connect you with food resources in your neighborhood.

Please take a moment to review our SNAP Hotline Flyer that explains all of the services we are able provide in more detail, as well as what to expect if you reach out. Do you have a question that we are not able to address? We want to direct you to someone who can help, so make sure to check out page 2 for additional resources! We hope this helps clear up any confusion.

Our Coalition Against Hunger SNAP Hotline team is here to assist you! Give our Hotline a call Monday – Thursday from 9:00am to 5:00 pm and on Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, at 215-430-0556.

SNAP Hotline In Action

We recently helped a mother of 5 who had been without SNAP benefits since January. The woman reached out to her case manager in the Boulevard District, who said her benefits had been suspended due to an error in the system and promised retroactive benefits to make up for those lost. When the client still didn't receive these benefits, she tried calling the case manager back, but her phone call was never returned. This is when she called us at the Coalition for further assistance. One of our SNAP Hotline Counselors completed an application for her on February 15. The client should have received emergency benefits, but the application was denied because her benefits were showing as active, even though she still wasn't receiving any. Our SNAP Hotline Manager reached out to our liaison at the Boulevard District, who apologized and made sure the application got processed. Thanks to the case management work that we do at the Coalition, her benefits are active once again. Not only that, but she received $2,380 in retroactive benefits.

Don't wait! Register before April 1st to make sure you get your official Race Against Hunger t-shirt prior to the start of the Race. This year's Race is virtual, making it even easier for you to join us in walking, running or biking to raise awareness and funds to fight hunger and support our neighbors in the Greater Philadelphia area. Get your friends and family to join you, and pick where and when you want to race to end hunger! If you are unable to participate, please consider making a donation to support our mission.

Policy and Advocacy

Nutrition Waivers - Unfortunately, we have to start off this week by sharing some bad news. Throughout the pandemic, schools have relied on flexibilities granted by The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nationwide school nutrition waivers to continue providing school breakfast and lunch. These waivers are currently set to expire June 30, 2022. The extension of these waivers was not included in the full-year spending package unveiled this past Wednesday and passed by both the House and the Senate in an effort to avoid a government shutdown. Without a waiver extension, these waivers will end June 30th, causing nutrition providers to lose crucial flexibilities, as they continue to deal with the fallout from the pandemic, inflation, and supply chain issues. 

SNAP Emergency Allotments (EAs) - On a happier note, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved Pennsylvania’s request to issue (EAs) in March. Remember, EAs are the extra SNAP payments issued in the second half of the month. For more information, including payment dates, see our EA Flyer for March.

Tax Season - We want to make sure everyone is taking full advantage of all of the tax credits available to them. To help you better understand the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the temporary expansions that have made additional people eligible for the EITC, here is a video we've created. For more information on the EITC or the Child Tax Credit, consider registering for the Take Credit: Tax Return Assistance Webinar hosted by Philabundance and the Campaign For Working Families, this upcoming Tuesday, March 15th from 10am-11am. You can learn more and register here. 

And if you think you qualify for these tax credits, be sure to file your taxes by April 18, 2022. For help, visit www.claimyourmoneyphl.com (Philadelphia) or www.getyourrefund.org. For in-person help, the Philadelphia Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC), located at 600 Arch Street, will once again be open this Saturday, March 12 9am-4pm. No appointment is required. Please note that TACs will not accept cash payments this coming Saturday. If you don’t live in Philadelphia, visit this website to find a TAC near you. 

The Passing of a Dear Friend and Hunger Fighter

This past week we were sad to hear that our friend, VIP member, and life-long anti-hunger advocate, Na'ilah Johns from Masjidullah Sadaqah Emergency Food Cupboard passed away. Her caring spirit lives on in all the lives she touched, and Masjidullah is committed to continue the work that she started.  

To learn a little more about Na'ilah and the amazing work that she did, read this interview we did with her two years ago.

Food Pantry & Soup Kitchens

Food Rescue - The Coalition’s VIP Food Rescue Team distributed 11,725 pounds of food and water to 1,965 individuals from 675 households in February. If your program is interested in being added to the team waitlist, please contact Derek Felton at [email protected].

Race Against Hunger - If you are a food pantry or soup kitchen that wants to participate in the 2022 Race Against Hunger and use the Race as a fundraiser for your program, the deadline for submitting the 2022 Race Against Hunger Agreement is March 31st! Please contact Derek at [email protected] with any questions you may have about the upcoming Race Against Hunger. If you need an agreement sent to you, contact Tanya at [email protected].