UPDATE: Today, the Trump Administration announced that it would tap into a contingency fund to pay half of November’s SNAP benefits, but would not use other funding sources for full SNAP payments. For context, the average SNAP benefit is about $356 per household each month – $178 is half that amount, or about $95 per person (around $3 per day). The Administration’s decision was subsequent to orders from two federal judges. Depending on state processing, families and youth may not receive benefits for several weeks. New SNAP applicants will not receive any benefits in November. Separately, the Administration released $450 million to keep WIC benefits flowing nationwide. The stopgap is expected to last about two to three weeks, potentially less as caseloads grow and costs fluctuate. In the meantime, many states are taking action by covering SNAP benefits for November, directing state funding to food programs, extending state-funded programs, etc. For more: https://schoolhouseconnection.org/article/feeding-children-youth-and-families-a-snap-update (fb)

Millions of families woke up this week facing uncertainty about how they’ll eat. Here’s what’s happening — and how schools, communities, and advocates can ensure children, youth, and families stay fed amidst SNAP changes. https://schoolhouseconnection.org/article/feeding-children-youth-and-families-a-snap-update On November 1, federal funding lapsed for the nation’s largest food assistance program — the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). More than 42 million people – including 1 in 5 children – are now at even higher risk of hunger. On November 3, the Trump Administration announced that it would tap into a contingency fund to pay half of November’s SNAP benefits, but would not use other funding sources for full SNAP payments. For context, the average SNAP benefit is about $356 per household each month – $178 is half that amount, or about $95 per person (around $3 per day). The Administration’s decision was subsequent to orders from two federal judges. Depending on state processing, families and youth may not receive benefits for several weeks. New SNAP applicants will not receive any benefits in November. Separately, the Administration released $450 million to keep WIC benefits flowing nationwide. The stopgap is expected to last about two to three weeks, potentially less as caseloads grow and costs fluctuate. In the meantime, many states are taking action by covering SNAP benefits for November, directing state funding to food programs, extending state-funded programs, etc. Also on November 1, changes to SNAP eligibility resulting from the enactment of HR 1 went fully into effect. People experiencing homelessness (age 18+), veterans, and young adults who aged out of foster care are no longer automatically exempt from work requirements. They must now work or be in an approved work/education program at least 80 hours a month, unless they qualify for another exemption (such as being medically unfit, pregnant, or caring for a child under 14). Without meeting or documenting that requirement, they’re limited to three months of SNAP in a three-year period. Families and youth experiencing homelessness often face additional barriers to accessing adequate food, such as lack of transportation to food banks/pantries, lack of a place to prepare or store food, or lack of utensils and can openers. 🚨 For many, public schools, early childhood programs, and college campuses are the only sources of consistent food and connection to resources. This makes the work of McKinney-Vento liaisons and other professionals serving homeless families and youth even more critical during this crisis. 🔗 LINKED 👉 Resources and Strategies to Help Feed Homeless Children, Youth, and Families 1. Ensure Immediate Access to Free School Meals 2. Leverage Federal Education Funds 3. Find and Coordinate Community and State Resources 4. Don’t Forget Babies! 5. And, Don’t Forget College Students! Dive deeper into each strategy + Take action ➡️ https://schoolhouseconnection.org/article/feeding-children-youth-and-families-a-snap-update (fb)