Since March 2020, SNAP households have received emergency allotments (EA allotments) equivalent to the maximum benefit available for the household’s size, less their monthly base benefit. The United States Department of Agriculture reports that emergency allotments were approved under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to meet temporary food needs during the epidemic.
State SNAP agencies can issue emergency allotments to all SNAP households (on a month-to-month basis) if the state meets specific requirements. As long as a national public health emergency (PHE) remains in effect — and the state has declared an emergency — conditions may continue to provide monthly emergency allotments.
On January 16, 2022, Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra extended the COVID-19 federal public health emergency. On April 16, the existing PHE will expire. A PHE declaration is valid until the secretary determines that the PHE no longer exists — or until the 90 days beginning on the date the PHE was declared expires.
Through the end of April 2022, the USDA has granted waivers to the following states:
- Alabama.
- Illinois.
- Maine.
- Michigan.
- New Jersey.
- North Carolina.
- Oregon.
- Rhode Island.
- South Carolina.
- Virginia.
- Washington.
- West Virginia.
- Wisconsin.
- Wyoming.
Since April 2021, all households in states that provide these benefits have received emergency assistance totaling at least $95. Supplemental EA SNAP funds will be automatically applied to households’ EBT cards.
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