SNAP – Emergency Allotments

Since March 20, 2020, state SNAP agencies have had the option to issue EA month to month to all SNAP households, if the state meets certain criteria. As long as there is a national Public Health Emergency (PHE) in place and the state has a state-level emergency declaration in place, states may opt to continue to provide monthly EA to their caseload. Furthermore, based on guidance issued on April 1, 2021, states have the option to provide a one-month EA issuance phase-out following the end of their state emergency declaration.

When the national PHE ends, all states still providing EA will have one month beyond the national PHE’s expiration to transition their participants off from EA, regardless of whether the state declaration is in effect. This transition timeframe is consistent with the existing April 2021 guidance for state EA phase-outs.

This advanced notice of the phase-out requirements allows states time to prepare for the transition when the national PHE expires. Additionally, per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) memorandum issued to governors on Jan. 22, 2021, HHS is committed to providing states with 60 days’ notice prior to termination.

As part of your communication plan to participants, please include the Indian Tribal Organizations in your state so that they too may prepare, as there may be impacts on the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.

State agencies with questions should contact their respective regional office representatives.

Jessica Shahin
Associate Administrator
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program