IWS Update

In late January, the White House announced in a letter that the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) will officially end on May 11, 2023. When the PHE ends, many enhancements to public benefit programs will go away. Examples of these enhancements include Medicaid’s continuous coverage provision and the suspension of the 3-month time limit for certain adults (ages 18-49 without dependents) who receive SNAP. On a more positive note, the Biden Administration recently released several resources related to challenges faced by renters, signaling an intention to prioritize fair housing and renters' rights, and an end to homelessness in the new year. The president also expressed his support for an expanded child tax credit in his State of the Union Address, though he failed to voice a comprehensive commitment to immigrant justice. 

 Upcoming Events

Increasing Security and Equity in Electronic Benefits Transfer
Digital Benefits Network Quarterly Call
February 15th at 9:00am PT / 12:00pm ET

Headlines across the country demonstrate there has been exponential growth in benefits theft by criminals who are “cloning and skimming” EBT cards, leaving thousands of families with drained accounts and limited recourse in getting back their benefits. Thankfully Congress included short-term reimbursement for EBT theft victims in the most recent omnibus package. State SNAP agencies now face a pressing deadline to submit plans to the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) by the end of February outlining how they will process theft claims, track data, and adopt future security measures.

Register here to join our panel of experts, which includes Senior Policy Analyst Ashley Burnside, to discuss what’s happening on the ground with benefits theft and how states can improve EBT security in service of beneficiaries.