Wednesday marks the end of emergency-enhanced SNAP benefits across Indiana, and the Salvation Army wants to make sure food programs continue. WNIN’s John Gibson reports:
Indiana’s COVID-19 public health emergency ended on March 3rd, making May 31st the final day that SNAP recipients could receive the maximum benefit.
Starting Wednesday, benefits will be based on a formula that includes eligibility factors, including household income.
A permanent adjustment to the program made in October means most households will receive higher benefits than they did pre-pandemic, but they will still experience a drop from May to June.
The Salvation Army says it’s already seen an increase in visits to its food pantries and hot food programs as inflation has made it harder for Hoosiers to put food on the table.
The group said Evansville’s daily feeding program provided more than 188,000 meals in 2021.
The Salvation Army says it’s depending on the generosity of donors, food suppliers, and volunteers to keep up this year and for the expected jump over the summer.