|  | Dear Friends, On December 29th, a federal spending bill (the Consolidated Appropriations Act) was signed into law, funding the government through next September. One of the major provisions in the bill creates a permanent Summer EBT Program, starting in summer 2024. While this is a win for children, who miss out on school meals in the summer months, this program is partially paid for by prematurely ending Emergency Allotments, the extra SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) payments that families have been receiving in the second half of each month. We are incredibly disappointed by the premature ending of Emergency Allotments, which have served as a lifeline for families throughout the pandemic, and we know this cut will result in hardship for SNAP participants. While we are excited by the creation of the permanent Summer EBT program, anti-hunger programs cannot be funded by cuts to other existing anti-hunger programs. Taking money from SNAP to pay for a Summer EBT program will not ultimately solve the issue of food insecurity. At the Coalition Against Hunger, we work toward a world where all people have the food they need to lead healthy lives. Federal nutrition programs are a key investment in such a future, and for this reason, are all worthy of adequate funding. |
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| Consolidated Appropriations Act |
| The federal spending bill, signed into law in late December 2022, includes several important provisions that will impact those we serve. Here's what you need to know: |
| Emergency Allotments (EAs) Are Ending: SNAP EAs will be distributed for the last time in February 2023, resulting in a large drop in benefits for SNAP participants starting in March. We understand how difficult this change will be and want to make sure everyone is aware that it is coming. Please help share our flyer, about this change and additional resources available, widely among your communities. |
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| SNAP Skimming Fix: In the past year, SNAP skimming (when benefits are remotely stolen from EBT cards) has become more frequent. Now, participants will finally have a way to recover benefits that were skimmed. Participants can have up to 2 months reimbursed up to 2 times per year between 10/1/2022 and 9/30/2024. |
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| Permanent Summer EBT: Starting in 2024, states can choose to participate in a permanent summer EBT program, providing eligible families with $40 per month during the summer months. Summer 2023 P-EBT will be $120 for the entire summer. This will be a significant drop in benefits, as families received $391 in summer 2022. |
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| WIC Cash Value Benefit (CVB) Increase Extended: The Cash Value Benefit, which allows participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to purchase fresh fruits & vegetables, has been funded at increased levels since 2021. The increase of this benefit has been extended. |
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| Medicaid Continuous Coverage: All Medicaid recipients have been continuously enrolled in the program throughout the pandemic, but this is coming to an end. Starting in April, states can start sending out Medicaid renewals that families will be responsible for filling out in order to keep their coverage. If they do not complete a renewal, they will be cut off. |
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| It will take states some time to figure out how to implement these changes. While EAs and the Medicaid continuous coverage will end on specific dates, the details of other provisions, such as Summer EBT and the SNAP skimming reimbursements, still need to be sorted out and will not take effect right away. As we get additional information, we will continue to update you. |
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| January Emergency Allotments |
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| SNAP Emergency Allotments are currently being distributed for the month of January. To learn more information and find out when to expect your payment, see our EA Flyer for January. |
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| | Public Health Emergency Extended |
| The federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) has been extended from January 11, 2023 – April 11, 2023. Because Emergency Allotments are no longer tied to the PHE, they will be ending in February 2023 regardless of this extension. However, the expanded rules for college student SNAP eligibility remain tied to the PHE and will continue with this extension. See our flyer, made in partnership with Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, for a refresher on the expanded college student eligibility. |
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| | We completed a SNAP application for a City Year AmeriCorps member, but it was denied because the County Assistance Office (CAO) was considering the stipend as income. Our SNAP Hotline Manager emailed her liaison at the CAO with the SNAP policy where it clearly states that this stipend was not to be counted as income. When they were still requesting income verification, our Hotline Manager emailed a CAO Director of Operations in this district. Within minutes of sending this email with the policy, they notified us that the client had been issued their EBT card and expedited benefits. If you would like assistance from our SNAP Hotline team, they are available to help Monday – Thursday from 9:00am to 5:00 pm and on Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Give our SNAP Hotline team a call at 215-430-0556. Asistencia también disponible en Español. |
| | Our work is made possible by the generous contributions of our supporters. Thank you for all of the support to set us up for success in 2023! You can continue supporting our work by becoming a monthly donor. Learn more here! |
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We strive to build a community where all people have the food they need to lead healthy lives. Hunger is preventable. Thank you for your continued support of our work! The Coalition Against Hunger Team |
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| | Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger
123 Chestnut Street Suite 401 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
215-430-0555 | [email protected] |
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