Emergency SNAP benefits would expire in February 2023. (Photo: Brookings)
The United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service said the emergency SNAP benefits to help families during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic would expire in February 2023.
Families who received SNAP emergency allotments received the maximum emergency SNAP benefit amount for their household size. Beginning in March 2023, SNAP households will receive their pre-pandemic benefit amount.
The United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS) has announced that the temporary extra Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, known as emergency allotments, put in place at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic will expire in February 2023. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which was passed, terminates these benefits.
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Emergency SNAP benefits would expire in February 2023. (Photo: NPR)
With a minimum supplemental allotment of $95, emergency SNAP benefits have allowed households to receive the maximum SNAP benefit for their household size. In March 2023, all SNAP households in the United States will receive their regular benefit amount.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act has allowed states to issue Emergency Allotments to SNAP households to address temporary food needs and alleviate economic stress. States were authorized to provide these additional benefits in addition to the regular SNAP benefits that families receive each month as long as the state’s emergency or disaster declaration and the federal Public Health Emergency remained in effect. Governor John Bel Edwards signed Executive Order JBE 2022-10, allowing the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to continue issuing Emergency SNAP benefits until February 2023, making the state one of only 28 in the country to do so.
In comparison, a family of three with income could have received $335 per month in regular SNAP benefits. That same household would have received up to $740 per month in additional emergency SNAP benefits. With the end of emergency allotments in March, that family will be reduced to receiving only the $335 monthly.
Furthermore, households needing resources can apply for WIC, visit food banks, or call 211 to learn more about food assistance.
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