Facing a ‘Hunger Cliff’: SNAP Emergency Allotment Cuts to Impact Millions Starting in March 2023

Starting in March 2023, SNAP recipients across the nation will be returning to their pre-pandemic allotments, leaving many households facing a “hunger cliff”. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments, which have been providing an extra payment each month since the start of the pandemic, will be ending in February due to federal rules.^[0]

The cuts will impact more than 30 million people who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, in 32 states, including California and Texas, which have the greatest number of people on SNAP at 5.1 million and 3.6 million recipients, respectively.^[1] 18 states have already ended their emergency allotments early, with some citing the strengthening economy as the reason.^[2]

SNAP recipients in Anderson, Austin, Bandera, Bastrop, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Brazoria, Brooks, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Cameron, Cherokee, Coke, Collin, Comal, Concho, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Falls, Fannin, Fort Bend, Franklin, Freestone, Gillespie, Harris, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hill, Hopkins, Hunt, Irion, Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Lamar, Lee, Leon, Limestone, Llano, Mason, McLennan, Milam, Montgomery, Navarro, Parker, Rains, Red River, Robertson, Rockwall, Smith, Sterling, Tarrant, Titus, Travis, Van Zandt, Waller, Wichita, Williamson and Wood counties have until Feb. 28 to request benefit replacement.^[3]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture also encourages SNAP recipients to take advantage of other FNS programs they may be eligible for that can help meet their overall nutrition needs, such as the Department of Health’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children and the Department of Agriculture’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.^[4]

Overall, the Department of Agriculture warns of the potential “hunger cliff” for millions of Americans come March, and encourages people to plan for themselves and their families in advance.^[1]

0. “SNAP emergency allotments to end, and more” River Reporter, 7 Feb. 2023, https://www.riverreporter.com/stories/snap-emergency-allotments-to-end-and-more,80707

1. “”Hunger cliff” looms as states set to slash food-stamp benefits” Yahoo Sports, 10 Feb. 2023, https://sports.yahoo.com/hunger-cliff-looms-states-set-100004152.html

2. “Will Ending SNAP Emergency Funds Hurt Biden 2030 Anti-Hunger Goal?” msnNOW, 9 Feb. 2023, https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/will-ending-snap-emergency-funds-hurt-biden-2030-anti-hunger-goal/ar-AA171LT5

3. “Federal approval for replacement SNAP benefits due to winter storm” KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi, 9 Feb. 2023, https://www.kristv.com/news/texas-news/federal-approval-for-replacement-snap-benefits-due-to-winter-storm

4. “SNAP Emergency Allotments are Ending” USDA.gov, 8 Feb. 2023, https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2023/02/08/snap-emergency-allotments-are-ending