“Food Aid for Millions of Kids and Parents at Risk: Urgent Action Needed Now!

Millions of Families Could Be Denied Food Aid A recent report is warning that millions of parents and young kids could be denied food aid if the government fails to boost funding. Without additional funding, some 3 million Americans could be denied access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, by the end of 2021. The report, issued by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), found that the funding for current SNAP benefits will run out over the next year. Without additional funding from Congress and the next president, the number of Americans needing food assistance could increase sharply due to the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. CBPP estimates that the government would have to double the amount of funding it provides for SNAP in 2021 to ensure that all of those who currently rely on SNAP and those who are expected to join the program in the coming year are not adversely affected. The report also notes that deep cuts in the program could lead to increased poverty, especially among the 14 million children who rely on SNAP benefits. The report warns that failing to provide additional funding to SNAP would not only leave millions of families without food assistance, but also would hit low-income communities and communities of color the hardest. Without the additional funding, it is estimated that 6.7 million households with children would lose or have their benefits cut — with households of color most affected. Lawmakers are racing against the clock to come up with a package that could both protect those already receiving food aid and reach a consensus on boosting SNAP benefits. News of the potential cuts has already sparked protests, with activists and some lawmakers calling on Congress and the next president to restore the funding as soon as possible. While it remains to be seen what will happen in the coming months, it’s clear that millions of parents and young kids are facing a grim future if the government fails to come through with the needed funding.