Yesterday, the House of Representatives voted to approve a $484 billion COVID-19 relief bill, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act
(H.R. 266). The bill provides additional funding for small business loans, healthcare providers, and testing efforts, but misses a significant opportunity to make tangible impacts on anti-hunger relief: the bill does not include an increase in SNAP benefits. Next, the bill heads to the President’s desk where he is expected to sign the bill.
Congress should now refocus their attention on providing immediate relief to individuals and families. While previous COVID-19 stimulus packages provided some relief, much more needs to be done to help Californians who are struggling to put food on the table. The Families First Act provided authority to USDA to approve state plans to temporarily bump up SNAP benefits to the current maximum monthly allotment for a household of the same size. Unfortunately, the most low-income SNAP participants will not receive any bump in their SNAP benefits, because they are already at the maximum SNAP monthly allotment. In addition, this temporary provision will end when the public health emergency has ended, but Californians will feel the effects of the COVID-19 crisis long after the immediate emergency has passed.
Unemployment is increasing and the U.S. economy is expected to contract further, causing even more people to lose their jobs.The number of new SNAP (CalFresh) applications is already surging demonstrating that Californians need immediate help putting food on the table. It is vital that Congress prioritize the health and wellbeing of Californians in the wake of COVID-19. SNAP is our largest and most effective anti-hunger program, and one of the most rapid and effective forms of stimulus we can enact. California Food Policy Advocates urges California’s Members of Congress to support a boost to SNAP benefits until the economy improves, as was done in the last recession.
Advocacy Opportunities
If you haven’t already reached out to your Member of Congress, we hope you will join us in asking for equitable and inclusive federal action to protect the health and wellbeing of all Californians, now and in the wake of COVID-19. Urge them to take action:
Need help finding your Members of Congress? Use this tool, which provides the emails and social media accounts for California’s Congressional Delegation.
Questions? Contact: Melissa Cannon at 209.200.8446 or visit www.cfpa.net/covid19 or www.cfpa.net/federal-advocacy
