One of the main changes during the new administration has been the extension of the $ 375 USD check for children during the summer.
The United States Government announced the extension until the summer of the Pandemic EBT program, which supports low-income families, with student children, in the purchase of food. In addition, there are four other programs that have the same objective, to attack child hunger.
Through the Biden Administration's "American Rescue Plan" (ARPA), the following programs were extended or implemented:
Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has received a temporary increase in funds for the purchase of fruits and vegetables for this program. ARPA awarded $ 490 million dollars since mid-March for the expansion of this program. "USDA offers states, tribal nations and territories the option to increase the cash value of the benefit voucher by more than three times the current amount for up to four months to provide additional relief during this difficult time," explains USDA.
The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, recognized the importance of food security, and the support given to mothers and their children. The program offers pregnant women or women with children five years of age or younger, supplemental foods and a nutrition education program. Those who are eligible or have benefits such as SNAP, Medicaid, TANF meet the eligibility for WIC.
Electronic Benefit Transfer during the Pandemic (P-EBT)
This support program during the pandemic has been extended for the entire summer. USDA confirmed that the P-EBT program will provide free or reduced price meals to children.
Under this plan, families will receive up to $ 375 USD per child during the summer, to replace the meals that the children received in schools. "It's available this summer to all children eligible for free or reduced-price meals during the school year." It also includes children from schools that receive P-EBT benefits during the school year and those who did not receive the benefit because they attended school in person during the last school month.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The ARPA, extended the 15% increase in the monthly payment of SNAP beneficiaries, until September of this year. They are a total of one billion dollars in benefits for 41 million people in the United States.
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
Likewise, the CACFP obtained more funds to support people who find themselves or go to special centers to receive care or to find shelter. Through this program, child and adult care centers receive a reimbursement for the delivery of food to these groups.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
This program received a $ 37 million dollar for additional assistance to the senior population. This includes delivering nutritious food to people 60 and older.
