Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program spending jumped to $5 billion in March as the pandemic began to shake the U.S. economy, according to new data released by USDA this week
The number of people participating in
went up in March and the cost of the program jumped by nearly 15 percent, to $5.1 billion, new data shows., provides the first national look at how the food safety net began to expand in the early days of the pandemic. Unlike other federal benefits such as unemployment insurance, data is not released in a timely fashion and is posted months after the fact.The total number of people enrolled in the program in March was 37.3 million, a relatively small but significant increase from February when participation was 36.9 million. The average monthly benefit per person, however, jumped up substantially, from $121 per person to $137 per person as aid from Congress kicked in.The numbers from USDA are behind in showing the real national picture.
enrollment has gone up substantially in several states that have reported on a more regular basis. In Florida, for example, enrollment jumped more than 36 percent between February and May. In Texas, it went up nearly 19 percent, according to preliminary data aggregated by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.Feeding America, which represents a large network of major food banks, is hosting a virtual fly-in this week with 99 food banks from 42 states and D.C.
.Anti-hunger groups are also pushing Congress to extend the Pandemic EBT program, which gives families with schoolchildren a one-time benefit payment to make up for lost free or subsidized meals at schools. They want the program extended through summer to replace summer meals programs with the possibility of extending into the next school year, if needed.and having kids go hungry in the meantime,” said Lisa Davis, senior vice president of the No Kid Hungry Campaign, during a webinar on Tuesday.
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