States brace for end to COVID-related SNAP benefits

States, community groups and food banks are scrambling to help families cope and gear up for an expected wave of food hardship following the end of pandemic-related benefits in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps (Source: “States Strive to Help SNAP Recipients Cope With Lower Benefits,” Pew Stateline, Feb. 28).

The average SNAP participant in states (including Ohio) that still had emergency allotments as of February will receive $90 less a month in benefits, according to an analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

In March 2020, as COVID-19 swept the nation and the economy shut down, Congress gave states the authority to ease application and eligibility requirements for SNAP and to hike benefits with temporary emergency allotments.