The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Hunger Clearinghouse provides information about food resources available near an address or zip code, including meal sites, food banks, and other social services. Information from the Clearinghouse is accessible by contacting the USDA National Hunger Hotline by phone (with English and Spanish phone numbers provided) or by text.

This interactive set of waivers, issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, features the distribution and funding for food purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Areas covered by the waiver include additional funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), disaster household distribution, food distribution on Indian reservations, funding sources for TEFAP, and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Flexibilities for Tribal organizations and State agencies that administer FDPIR.

This webpage provides summaries on waivers that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service issued to increase flexibility in funding and administration of SNAP programs. Coverage of waivers identified on this webpage includes: Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer, SNAP Online Purchasing, Time Limit Suspensions, Claims, Fair Hearings, Reporting, and Flexibility for States with Increasing Workloads.

This interactive set of continuously updated state profiles presents waivers that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service has granted for emergency allotments of SNAP and other funds to address food insecurity in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This issue brief provides definitions and summaries of the concepts of “food insecurity” and “food insufficiency” and offers initial data on current levels of food insecurity (in aggregate) compared to 2018 and 2019. The brief also covers how research can identify the gap in who receives food assistance, as well as the differences in outcomes between government-administered food and nutrition programs and non-governmental emergency food assistance programs (such as food banks or pantries) that aim to address food insecurity.

The SNAP participation rate is the percentage of eligible people across the U.S. actually participating in the SNAP program. This research brief presents estimates of State SNAP participation rates for all eligible people and “working poor” people for fiscal year 2017. These estimates can be used to assess program performance and improve program access. The brief also includes a chart on participation rates by state comparing all eligible people and the working poor in 2015, 2016, and 2017.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will host a hybrid event (with both in-person and virtual presentations) on October 13-14, 2020 in St. Louis, Missouri that brings together SNAP E & T stakeholders nationwide to share best practices for increasing employment among SNAP households. The deadline to register is September 30, 2020.

This fact sheet illustrates how Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Ohio offered non-recurrent short-term TANF benefits as flexible responses to address the needs of TANF-eligible populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sheet also briefly notes how Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, and Florida have implemented flexible adaptions to TANF work requirements. SNAP approved waivers are also highlighted.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased unemployment rates in low-income populations, SNAP agencies must rapidly scale up and adapt their employment and training support systems amidst economic, public health, and regulatory uncertainties. On July 9, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, the American Public Human Services Association will host a webinar with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, American Enterprise Institute, and Center on Budget and Policy Priorities to discuss SNAP Employment and Training programs and the continued effects of unemployment on SNAP agency operations as well as their surrounding communities and local job sectors.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever for state, local, and tribal human services leaders serving children and families to provide a Whole Family response. To assist in this effort, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Regional Operations offers an updated list of resources, guidance, and tip sheets with information on ACF funding flexibilities and the whole family approach. This compendium includes:

• ACF Mandatory Program COVID-19 Program Flexibilities, Guidance and Resources (including information from the Office of Child Care, instructions on TANF allowable funds, letters and transmittal reports from the Children’s Bureau, and updates from the Office of Child Support Enforcement); and 

• Whole Family Approach to COVID-19 Response (including coverage about funding and flexibilities from Food and Nutrition Services programs, resources for working parents, and updates to funding resources for career and technical education programs and higher education institutions. There is also information about resources available from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to address mental health and substance use disorders and behavioral health challenges as well as funding available at the Health Resources and Services Administration to expand rural health center and telehealth capacity. Support for homeless housing and rental assistance, families living in public housing, and families in need under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is also identified.)