The emergency pandemic era SNAP allocation, which helped feed some 1.7 million New Yorkers on a tight budget, will run out on Wednesday.
Supporters say it will have a catastrophic effect on the Big Apple, leading to an increase in food insecurity. As a result, food banks in all five boroughs are preparing for a possible increase in demand.
Advocates believe the point of the SNAP adjunct will throw New Yorkers already struggling to make ends meet a major curveball in light of rising inflation, skyrocketing grocery prices, the expiry date of other government programmes created in response to the pandemic (such as the Child Tax credit), and record-high rents.
The Whole Thing
“Technically, the public health crisis has ended, but the financial devastation and problems experienced by many throughout the course of the epidemic’s final years are still very much apparent in people’s daily lives.,” said Zac Hall, vp of Anti-Poverty Initiatives at Food Bank NYC.
We do not believe that reducing SNAP payments at this time is appropriate. The quick-fix allocations were always just supposed to be short-term solutions.
As the COVID-19 epidemic was ongoing, Congress enacted the benefit to combat food insecurity and increase economic stability.
Households will receive extra money per month from March 2020 onwards, as Congress has temporarily increased SNAP payments to the maximum amounts. The monthly stipend for those who qualified was at least $95.
Following the initial three years, the benefits will be reduced to their starting levels. Something similar will occur in 32 additional states.
“It’s such a terrific programme, and it’s a little bit upsetting that it’s been curtailed tomorrow,” said Jilly Stephens, President of City Harvest.
As soon as the pandemic is over, all beneficiaries will return to receiving the same amounts they were getting previously.
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Reduced Income Might Total $250 A Month For Certain Families
“It’s not enough,” said Tania Collazo, associate director of JASA, a charity that provides services such as delivering food to the elderly. This sum is insufficient to cover basic necessities like food and medical care. It’s a shame that it’s not enough. Scary, right?… We’re currently brainstorming potential next steps.
Allotments are helping “those without a roof over their heads.” food insecure, but made everything through COVID without their life,” added Collazo.
In the absence of sufficient funds, “their ability to acquire and have specific items delivered to them or, get somebody to help them obtain the food – that is going to alter.”
Charity group City Harvest reports that the number of people using food banks and soup kitchens would increase by 69% in 2022 when compared to 2019 and by 14% from roughly a year ago.
Stephens of Metropolitan Harvest anticipated that the amount of people using food pantries will increase along with the regularity with which they were used as a result of the impending reduction in assistance.
Though we take great pride in the work we’ve accomplished in New York City, the impact of a federal initiative like SNAP is immeasurably greater.
Around The City, Food Banks Are Stocking Up In Anticipation Of A High Demand
As Nereida Coronel, who works at the Lower Manhattan Behavioral Local Hospital Emergency Local Food bank in Harlem, put it, “I know I’m going to have an increasing number of people that come to seek food from the pantry,” she anticipates a rise in clientele.
She has her doubts that everyone who will be affected is aware of the impending shift in policy.
Since 2001, Coronel has worked at the pantry, and she admits she gets apprehensive about the upcoming rush. But I want to assist as many others as I can, therefore I’ll be extending myself to any and all that need it.
A permanent summer programme for low-income families is mentioned, and some people believe that SNAP payments may increase in the next agriculture bill.
New Yorkers in need were given a huge helping hand by the epidemic boost. Urban Institute research indicates that it helped keep over 4 million people in the United States out of poverty.
In New York, it meant that low-income families could choose their own grocery items, including fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and dairy products.
“We’re here as a backup against starvation, yet we aren’t a substitute for SNAP and we just aren’t equipped wit our resources to just be capable of coping with that kind of losses,” According to Manhattan’s Food Pantry’s Hall.
They are going to have to make some tough choices,” Hall said. Some elderly people may be weighing the pros and cons of choosing to buy and take medication over eating.
Unfortunately, some youngsters will be required to attend school without breakfast. Families will have to prioritise paying their rent or heating bills, taking on further debt, and depleting their savings.
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Conclusion
The Urban Institute estimates that the supplementary payments kept 4 million Americans out of poverty & decreased child poverty by 14%. The ability of local charities, food banks, and other aid providers to help those in need may suffer as a result of this decline.
