The National Public Health Emergency (PHE) expired on May 11, 2023. FNS no longer has the ability to offer PHE-related benefits and flexibilities.
Beginning June 10, 2023, the temporary student exemptions – which allowed college students who wouldn’t typically be eligible for SNAP to receive benefits during the public health emergency – will begin phasing out, impacting students as they apply for SNAP or are due for recertification. Students who meet a regular student exemption may still be eligible for SNAP benefits. More information about student eligibility can be found on the SNAP students page.
Beginning July 1, 2023, able-bodied adults without dependents ages 18-49, also known as ABAWDs, participating in SNAP will once again be required to meet the ABAWD work requirements, or they could risk losing benefits as soon as October 2023.
Beginning May 11, 2023, program operators in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) will no longer be able to provide homeless young adults ages 19-24 at emergency shelters.
Pandemic EBT, also known as P-EBT, benefits will continue through the end of summer 2023 for school children, but will end on May 11, 2023, for children in childcare.
Most of the flexibilities FNS provided to WIC participants during the pandemic will continue to be available under a separate authority Congress provided FNS in the American Rescue Plan Act. FNS encourages all WIC state offices to continue offering and improving remote services for WIC participants.
What can I do now?
To learn more about how these changes may impact you and your family, please contact your local program office.
We encourage individuals and families to act now to make sure they’re receiving benefits that they’re eligible for when the public health emergency ends. Here are some steps you can take now to prepare:
- Make sure your contact information is up to date with your local program office, so they can communicate any upcoming changes to you.
- If you have questions about your SNAP benefits or eligibility, please contact your state or local SNAP agency. You can find contact information for your state agency at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory.
- Households may apply for school meals any time during the school year by submitting an application directly to their child’s school or school district. Please contact your school if you have any questions or need help filling out an application for free or reduced-price school meals.
For additional support, contact USDA's National Hunger Hotline.
1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273) for Spanish
Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET
USDA's National Hunger Hotline connects callers with emergency food providers in their community, government assistance programs, and various social services.