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Nebraska Acts to Enhance Food Security for SNAP Recipients
Nebraska Ag Connection - 04/08/2020

Governor Pete Ricketts signed a proclamation designating April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Nebraska during his daily media briefing on the state's response to coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). He also announced temporary changes to the state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), such as extending eligibility periods and providing emergency allotments to families for the months of April and May.

Stephanie Beasley, director of the Division of Children and Family Services for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), joined the Governor at Tuesday's media conference. She explained why children may be at higher risk of abuse during the pandemic. She also gave additional details on the State's temporary changes to SNAP requirements and benefits.

She noted that, in the last year, calls from educators totaled 30% of the calls reporting suspected abuse and neglect. As children and youth are not in school, fewer eyes are on our children. Children and families are isolated, and this causes concern since stress and financial hardship are risk factors for abuse and neglect. Nebraskans are encouraged to check on their friends and families and to offer support.

Meanwhile, the governor announced the following temporary changes to Nebraska's SNAP program:

- Extending SNAP recertification periods by six months during the months of April and May.

- Providing emergency allotments to SNAP recipients, up to the maximum allotment per household, in April and May.

- Permitting able-bodied adults without dependents, who are subject to work requirements and are unable to meet these requirements, to be able to receive more than three months of SNAP benefits within a 36-month period.

- Waiving the requirement that DHHS do an interview for every case prior to eligibility determination for SNAP benefits.

- Extending eligibility periods for other financial assistance programs to align with the SNAP extension.

Beasley reported that Nebraska SNAP applications increased 35% from February to March and that extending the recertification periods for the months of April and May will allow DHHS teammates to process these new applications.

Emergency allotments provided to SNAP beneficiaries will be loaded directly onto recipients' electronic benefits (EBT) cards, Beasley reported. SNAP benefit recipients can use their EBT cards to purchase groceries online through vendors such as Walmart and Amazon. SNAP online delivery through Walmart is still being rolled out in Nebraska, and is currently available in Norfolk and South Sioux City.

The State is focused on continuing to support Nebraskans impacted by COVID-19.

"We're concerned about the financial impact of the crisis, and we believe our efforts will increase food security during the pandemic," Beasley said.


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