COVID-19 Emergency SNAP Benefits to Expire

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will no longer offer an additional 15 percent to eligible recipients when emergency allotments expire at the end of February. At that point, SNAP benefits and eligibility requirements will revert to being calculated based on household income instead of household size.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has also made an adjustment to their benefits in an attempt to keep up with inflation, recording an 8.7 percent increase that began in January of this year. SSA money counts as income and reduces the amount of SNAP benefits a social security recipient can receive.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that most SNAP households rely on social security as a primary source of income and could struggle when the emergency allotments end. It won’t help that food prices will likely continue to increase between 3.5 and 4.5 percent this year, in addition to the 106 percent they already increased between November 2021 and November 2022.

Member missions and ministries of Citygate Network are expecting an uptick in those needing food assistance when these benefits expire. If you or someone you know finds themselves in need, our members are ready to assist or provide direction to deal with the shortfall.

The 300+ organizations in Citygate Network membership seek to move people in desperate situations and destitute conditions (i.e., hungry, homeless, abused, and addicted) from human suffering to human flourishing through the process of gospel-powered life transformation. If you or someone you love is in need of Christ-centered compassion and care, please visit our member locator page today to find a mission near you.