During the chaotic times of the global outburst of the lethal pandemic named COVID-19, every person was in a state of uncertainty, and fear. Every human was standing on the verge of death. People taking advantage of the hard times took the prices of basic precautionary aids and treatment so high that worsened the situation. Uncertainty and chaos prevailed. Here we will see about SNAP Medicaid Covid-19 Benefits
During such struggling times when even the people with high financial status were hardly making both ends meet, the US government came to the rescue of low-income households to facilitate them with the amazing services of their Medicaid program. The program, working since 1965, provides medical assistance to low-income families.
SNAP and Medicaid both work for the low-households, individuals, and disabled people and facilitate them. During the crucial times of Covid-19, both SNAP and Medicaid did not cease the benefits assisting not only individuals but even the states thus, maintaining their progress. But recently, the benefits provided by stimulus bill-era supplemental SNAP medicaid covid-19 is at high risk of expiring on April 15th. The assistance will end if the public health emergency (PHE) declaration is not extended by the Biden administration. This will directly affect the 15 state territories of the country.
SNAP assistance
The federal government initiated the anti-hunger “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program” (SNAP) for low-income households and disabled people. The program ensures that people living in the United States can afford a nutritionally adequate diet every month. Each state designs its application process which runs online. During pandemics, states have been using temporary SNAP flexibility offered by (the USDA) US Department of Agriculture to ease administration.
Medicaid assistance
Initiated by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, Medicaid is a program offering amazing services for over 50 years and facilitating low-income households and US states by providing medical and health assistance, saving lives, and improving the financial security of the United States. It provided states with several benefits during pandemic times.
Every state develops and administers its own Medicaid programs. They set their duration, amount, type, and scope of services. Keeping the federal guidelines into consideration, states are needed to provide some mandatory benefits and avail other optional benefits.
Benefits offered by the USDA:
We know that among all other things affected deeply by the outburst of the pandemic of Coronavirus, the economy got the worst effects. Consequently, the world witnessed a striking increase in the prices of goods. During such crucial times, the US Department of Agriculture granted waivers to some of the states and territories of the country.
This ensured that SNAP recipients will be issued supplemental income. Issuing an emergency or disaster declaration, the extra money will be issued to the state conditionally. Most of the territories and states have done this and as a result, many of the EBT card recipients of SNAP have been issuing supplemental SNAP benefits.
Expiry Date:
An extension in the emergency declaration was made by Xavier Becerra who is the secretary of Human and Health Services. He extended the declaration and gave a new expiry date which is 15th April 2022.
Risks to the states and territories:
The announcement of SNAP and Medicaid benefits’ expiry implies that the supplemental SNAP money which is being received by millions of Americans is at risk unless another extension is not made by the government. The additional money amounts to about $100 extra for the families per month. Depending on the total states’ maxims and rules, each family can get maximum financial benefit monthly under this. With the restriction of this additional money, those families who fall below the poverty line can hardly meet their needs.
SNAP money usage:
The money offered by the SNAP program has certain restrictions. Irrespective of the territory or state, one can only purchase food, fresh produce, and groceries, and that too at pre-approved grocers and vendors with the Snap money. It shows that it is made sure that extra money is only being used by the needy families on food. One is not allowed to deposit the money into some discretionary account to spend the money later on.
Moreover, one cannot buy hot food, alcohol, or food that is to be eaten inside the store due to the high restrictions. One is even not allowed to spend the food stamp for the purchase of soaps, pet food, and paper towels.
States and territories being affected by the expiry
Due to the expiry, the following states and territories will be affected unless there is extra renewed assistance:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Alaska
- California
- Connecticut
- Colorado
- District of Columbia
- Georgia
- Delaware
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Maryland
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- New York
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North California
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South California
- Texas
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Washington
- Wyoming
Conclusion
Medicaid and SNAP benefits of covid-19 will end by the 15th of April however, Medicaid says that there’s been a broader delivery of benefits (like telehealth sessions) and also prevention of active state Medicaid enrollment cancellation by the designation of an ongoing public health emergency during the pandemic. In case the PHE designation is lifted, one will not be able to secure the benefits further.
Frequently Asked Questions:
SNAP is most beneficial for whom?
Children, elders, and adults with low income and disabled people, all can benefit from SNAP.
What immediate action has been taken by PHE?
PHE declaration has been renewed for the next 90 days as an immediate step.
