COVID-19 has negatively impacted our lives in many ways, but one of the biggest problems it has caused is with food. If you need proof, watch a video of lines of cars outside of food distribution centers, and you’ll see that many families are struggling to stay fed.
President Joe Biden wasted no time addressing the current food insecurity problem, as he put forth the following changes that could ensure that your nutritional needs stay met.
1. More Food Stamps
The old stigma with food stamps may have kept many from applying for them, but once the coronavirus hit, that changed. Why? Because we need food to survive, and when you can’t buy your own, applying for food stamps is one of the most logical options.
With food stamps, you can receive funds every month to buy groceries. And even though Congress approved a 15 percent hike in food stamp benefits last spring, it didn’t apply to almost 40 percent of SNAP recipients. Even worse, that Congress approval left out the lowest-income households, which meant a change was needed.
President Biden provided that change with the signing of an order to increase SNAP allotments to states. Under the order, states will get more funding for food stamps so their citizens won’t have to suffer.
Families aren’t the only ones struggling under the pandemic, as so is the economy. With this proposed increase in food stamps, the economy should get a nice boost, especially in the food sector. A study from the USDA showed that $1 billion in new SNAP benefits could result in a $1.54 increase in the country’s GDP, which is highly-needed at the moment.
2. Food Stamps That Are Easier To Get
While an increase in food stamps is great, Biden also wants to make the program more accessible to those who need it. He plans on doing this by revising the Thrifty Food Plan that determines eligibility for benefits. Many see the plan as outdated, so to meet the needs of families currently under hardship, it will be tweaked.
3. An Extension of Increased Food Stamp Benefits
Biden’s proposed 15 percent increase in food stamps should help right now, but what about the future? The coronavirus seems as if it will stick around for a while, which is why Biden announced that he wants the increase in benefits to be extended.
4. $3 Billion Extra for WIC
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) could see a boost under Biden, as he pledged $3 billion in extra funding for it.
5. $1 Billion in Food Assistance for U.S. Territories
This additional funding would greatly help those living in these areas.
6. Help for Restaurants
Biden announced that he would like to get restaurants involved in supplying food, which could help their workers and their families at the same time.
7. 15 Percent More Pandemic-EBT
The P-EBT program helps students from low-income households stay fed as free or low-priced meals from closed schools are no longer available. Biden allowed for a 15 percent increase to this program.
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