The formal end of the national Public Health Emergency on Thursday is largely a symbolic and psychological step, representing the country’s formal emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic
The Census Bureau reported last year that COVID relief efforts and others sharply reduced childhood poverty. But these programs have now expired.Perhaps the fastest shock to the system has come in the SNAP program, the monthly food-assistance vehicle commonly known as food stamps. During the pandemic, all SNAP recipients had their benefits boosted though an Emergency Allotment program.
”A lot of people just didn't report or update their information for three years," Miles-Lee said. “Now they're panicked and just sort of flying blind." Robinson said she has tried to get some clarity by calling the D.C. Department of Human Services."Ï called many times. They don't answer their phones," she said.
“It really did help a lot during the pandemic and I'm grateful for it,” Smith said. ”I knew it couldn't last forever, but it was a lot to lose all at once." Jennifer Wagner, director of Medicaid eligibility with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said the process is already being marked by confusion and miscommunication. Many states are notifying recipients by mail that they need to reapply for Medicaid when other forms of communication such as text messages are generally considered more reliable. And even when the mail messages make it into the correct hands, it doesn't necessarily clarify the situation.
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