Dec 19, 2024

Heat and Eat: New SNAP Utility Allowance Rules

Utility costs are rising across the country at a rate that many find unsustainable.1 For many households with low incomes, this means making tough decisions, choosing between putting food on the table and other essential household needs such as heating their homes during the winter months. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a critical program for lifting households out of poverty through a monthly benefit dedicated for food and beverage purchases, accounts for this decision by allowing households to deduct part of their utilities costs through a standard utility allowance, which varies from state to state. A new regulation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) makes an update to that allowance that will impact SNAP households.

Tags: SNAP
Nov 21, 2024

Enhancing Food Access for Washington, D.C.’s Homeless With an Improved SNAP System

In the District of Columbia, homelessness and food insecurity form a difficult intersection, where finding reliable, nutritious meals is a daily challenge. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a crucial resource in reducing food insecurity across communities, but for those without stable housing, SNAP’s impact is limited.

Nov 08, 2024

All States Must Adopt Summer EBT to Address Childhood Summer Hunger

Summer 2024 marked the inaugural year of the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (Summer EBT). The program, also known as SUN Bucks, provides families with $120 in grocery benefits for each school-age child who is eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.  A total of 37 states, two Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs), and all five U.S. territories participated in the first year of implementation.

Oct 23, 2024

Afterschool Suppers and Snacks Critical to Combating Childhood Hunger

This week, the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) released its annual  Afterschool Suppers: A Snapshot of Participation — October 2023 report, which looks at participation in afterschool suppers and afterschool snacks on the state and national levels. The report comes ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Afterschool Alliance’s annual Lights On Afterschool celebration on October 24, which will shine a light on the important role afterschool programs play in supporting families and communities.