Food bank officials hopeful for expanded food stamp benefits

A politically embattled coronavirus relief bill would expand food stamp benefits, which officials at Western Pennsylvania food banks say is vital to support those affected by the economic crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

“When we look at the (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and how much it helps people and how much it helps boost the economy locally, it is, in and of itself, a win-win,” said Westmoreland County Food Bank Executive Director Jennifer Miller.

The HEROES Act, short for Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions, would increase the maximum SNAP benefit by 15% — roughly $25 per person per month. It would also up the minimum monthly benefit from $15 to $30.

However, the wide-ranging coronavirus relief effort seems unlikely to become law anytime soon.

It passed along party lines in the Democrat-controlled House of Representations last week and has yet to be considered in the Senate, where Republicans hold the majority. Most Republican lawmakers say the $2.2 trillion bill is too expensive.

Donald Trump on Tuesday tweeted his opposition to the bill.

“I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when, immediately after I win, we will pass a major stimulus bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and small businesses,” he tweeted.

...request, and looking to the future of our Country. I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when, immediately after I win, we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business. I have asked...

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 6, 2020

In addition to providing extra money for food stamps, the act would restore the extra $600 in federal unemployment benefits provided in the early months of the pandemic and give most Americans another $1,200 stimulus check.

Food banks don’t administer SNAP, but help hundreds of people apply for the program. The widespread unemployment made the need greater than ever, Morgan said.

“For every one meal that we can provide, SNAP provides nine,” said Adam Morgan, advocacy coordinator for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. “When it comes to food insecurity and helping people in our area get the food they need to feed their family, SNAP really is the best way to do that.”

From March through September the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank helped 1,320 people apply for food stamps, an increase of about 400 over the same period last year. Demand for food directly from the food bank is up about 30% over last year, Morgan said.

Previous coronavirus relief efforts did little to expand food stamps. In March, the government gave all households that receive SNAP the maximum allotment, but this was a one-time event that did nothing to help the poorest families who already receive the maximum amount, Morgan said.

“It didn’t provide it to those most in need,” he said.

The current maximum monthly benefit is $680 for a family of four.

Miller said she hopes lawmakers can see past their disagreements to pass the expanded benefits.

“We’re hoping that they could at least see the benefit to the American public and forget party lines and work together to help America go back to where we were before the pandemic,” she said.