Over the last three years, it’s often seemed as though local, state and federal government benefits in response to the COVID-19 pandemic would be never-ending. Apparently, that’s not the case.
On Thursday, Jan. 12, the State of North Carolina announced in a press release that extra benefits in the state’s Food and Nutrition Services program (once known as the “food stamp program”) will end in March.
Those extra benefits will end in all other states as well.
Households that have been receiving the extra food benefits – called “emergency allotments” – since March 2020 or later, will see a reduction in benefits due to the change.
During the pandemic, families and individuals enrolled in the food benefits program in North Carolina started receiving at least $95 extra per month. With the end of those emergency benefits, the average benefit per person per day in the state will soon decrease from $8.12 to $5.45.
NC Department of Health and Human Services Chief Deputy Secretary for Opportunity and Well-Being Susan Gale Perry stated in the press release that the department will continue to support those who need the benefits.
“Families needed these additional benefits to get healthy and nutritious food throughout the pandemic,” Perry stated. “While Food and Nutrition Services’ emergency payments are ending, the need is not. We will continue to prioritize food security for all North Carolinians.”
Since the start of the pandemic in early 2020, an average of 900,000 North Carolina households received the emergency allotments of food benefits – which cost the federal government about $150 million extra each month.
According to the information sent out by the state, “Beneficiaries will continue to receive their regular monthly benefit amounts in March 2023 based on a person’s or household’s current eligibility, income, household size and other federal eligibility requirements.”
Benefit recipients can view their regular monthly benefit amounts – as well as their emergency allotment amounts – online at www.ebtedge.com.
Those in the state who need food assistance can find out more information at www.ncdhhs.gov/foodresources.
State residents can apply for food benefits online or fill out a paper application and mail it to their county’s social services department or drop it off in person.
How are seniors who live on ss going to afford food.
They can’t, most especially after your spouse dies. We collect two SS checks, that is not enough considering the rising cost of everything, especially LOCAL taxes. What we saved is shrinking fast due to the rising cost of everything from a bag of dry beans to auto repair. When we lose a car, we are not going to replace it. We’re just gonna have to die, or move in with the kids.
ALL of this is due to our government, from here to Washington.
Of all the COVID relief funds these are the ones that should continue. With the raising cost in food prices that have not gone down (yesterday it was $2.99 for a head of lettuce, $3.79 for a bunch of celery, and $3.69 for a dozen eggs) people need this extra help. I don’t know how someone can feed a family on $5.45/day (and no, I don’t qualify for these benefits). I know people abuse the use of these funds, and I know the kids get free breakfast and lunch at school, but I also know kids eat a bunch, like a LOT while they are growing. Of all the things that need this extra funding, this is one I don’t mind helping with.
So like most other things in government, a temporary program/subsidy can be started but can NEVER be stopped?
I find myself with mixed feelings here Deborah.
On one hand with the obscene rising cost of food (and everything else for that matter) I agree with you that people have serious problems keeping food on the table.But the concern I have is these Lords and Ladies in charge are seeing an opportunity to control people by going after a basic necessity. And anybody that doesn’t think that this has crossed their minds and call this a conspiracy theory are either in on it or live in La-La land with unicorns and ponies for all.
What I see is an opportunity to extend their power and control, but I truly hope I’m wrong.
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. And the government is NOT the body to do so.
Why would we stop this program but continue section 8 housing and food stamps