Local officials are warning those who rely on SNAP benefits for food that changes to the program are on the way.
“We will see, probably in the short term, a reliance on food pantries and non-profits to fill in that nutrition gap that will occur once that happens, “Hancock County Jobs and Family Services Director Randall Galbraith stated.
Expiry of SNAP Benefits
Since the spring of 2020, the national Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, has been under an emergency allotment to assist those in need during the pandemic.
Currently, the Ohio SNAP program is still within the emergency allotment, which means that anyone who qualifies for SNAP has received the maximum amount available since 2020.
Soon, the program will revert to pre-pandemic operations, which means that SNAP benefits will be based on household size and income once again. All SNAP recipients will receive significantly less funding in March than they are accustomed to.
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Food Insecurity Expected To Increase
Local leaders in Hancock County said they expected normalcy to return; United Way of Hancock County has been preparing for the change for months. Leaders have adjusted their grants to ensure that food-related non-profits receive a higher percentage of funding to keep their shelves stocked.
They have also been collaborating with non-profit volunteers to prepare for an expected increase in food insecurity in the area. The increase in SNAP benefits implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic will soon come to an end.
During the pandemic, New Mexico recipients received emergency allotments on a monthly basis. This means that people received the maximum amount permitted by their household size. The USDA now reports that SNAP benefit amounts will return to normal in March.
Recipients will continue to receive the extra benefits in January and February. Households that also receive social security may see a decrease in SNAP benefits as their social security benefit increases.
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