Food insecurity affects millions of people each year. In fact, 13.5 million U.S. households experienced some level of food insecurity in 2021. However, many of those families were able to utilize some form of government assistance to combat their financial hardships. If you have found yourself in a situation where you need food assistance, then you can benefit from knowing what’s available!
Government assistance can feel like a taboo subject. However, there is nothing wrong or shameful about getting help when you need it! There are various food assistance programs that can provide ongoing support. These programs often require an extensive application process and even a waiting period before getting any help. Households that are in need of assistance right away can benefit from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Fortunately, this program isn’t complicated to understand and can provide you with the immediate relief you might need.
Understanding How to Benefit from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) offers support to low-income and elderly individuals. This federal program is meant to help supplement the diets of people in need by offering nutritious meals in emergencies. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers this program and provides quality USDA food and funding to states. States that participate in the program then in turn supply food to local agencies such as soup kitchens or food pantries. Individuals can visit local organizations within their communities to benefit from TEFAP at absolutely no cost to them! If you are interested in benefiting from emergency food assistance, you can research online about local organizations near you.
How TEFAP works at the federal, state, and local levels
The USDA purchases nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, meats, and grains from American farmers. These foods are then distributed to states based on population size, unemployment, and poverty rates. Each state has its own agency responsible for managing TEFAP funds and coordinating with local organizations that distribute the food directly to those in need.
- Federal level: USDA buys healthy foods.
- State level: State agencies receive funds and coordinate distribution efforts.
- Local level: Soup kitchens or food pantries provide emergency meals using TEFAP supplies. Certain community action agencies may also participate and deliver assistance to qualifying households.
Different Food Assistance Programs to Consider
Emergency support can provide a necessary pick me up when life has got you down. However, if you’re in a sticky financial situation, you may benefit from ongoing nutrition support! If that’s the case, then you can consider one or more of the programs listed below:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- School Breakfast Program (SBP)
- Special Milk Program (SMP)
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP) has been around for decades and helps millions of households each year. Recipients of this food assistance program are awarded monthly benefits to use on groceries each month. Not all grocery items qualify for purchase with SNAP. Recipients should keep in mind that there is a list of both eligible and ineligible items that can be bought with these benefits. Every approved household receives an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that can be used at certain stores that accept them as payment. How much funds a household can get with SNAP depends on multiple factors, including income level and household size.
You may be able to get a good idea of what’s possible by taking a look at the figures below. Listed below is the maximum amount households of different sizes can be awarded with SNAP. The following values are applicable for October 1st, 2022 through September 30th, 2023:
- 1-person households can receive a maximum benefit of $281 per month
- 2-person households can receive a maximum benefit of $516 per month
- 3-person households can receive a maximum benefit of $740 per month
- 4-person households can receive a maximum benefit of $939 per month
- 5-person households can receive a maximum benefit of $1,116 per month
- 6-person households can receive a maximum benefit of $1,339 per month
- 7-person households can receive a maximum benefit of $1,480 per month
- 8-person households can receive a maximum benefit of $1,691 per month
- Households that are greater than eight people can receive an additional benefit of up to $211 per person.
What You Can Purchase Using SNAP Benefits
It’s important to keep in mind that SNAP adjusts the maximum award amounts each year. Furthermore, approved applicants aren’t guaranteed to receive the maximum. How much you can qualify for depends on your personal situation. Now that you have a better idea of how much SNAP can provide you, let’s circle back to what items you can buy with benefits.
The following food items are approved for purchase using EBT:
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products
- Eggs
- Nonalcoholic beverages
- Fruits and vegetables
- Bread, cereal, rice, and other grains
- Snack foods
- Seeds and plants that grow food
Whereas the following items are not eligible to purchase using EBT:
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Tobacco products
- Vitamins and supplements
- Medicine
- Personal hygiene products (laundry detergent, shampoo, etc.)
- Live animals (with exceptions)
- Non-food items
National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free lunches to qualifying children during the school day. NSLP has been providing low-income children with nutritionally balanced meals since 1946! President Truman signed the National School Lunch Act in that year. Public schools, nonprofit private schools, and specific childcare centers can run this food assistance program. Each year this program benefits the lives of millions of children and their families!
School Breakfast Program (SBP)
Much like NSLP, the School Breakfast Program (SBP) provides children of low-income families the chance to eat a nutritious meal during the school day. Students that can benefit from SBP receive a free or reduced-cost breakfast on days when school is in session. You may have heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eating breakfast can help improve a student’s energy and ability to concentrate in school. All children deserve to start their day on a positive note with a full belly, regardless of their home situation!
Special Milk Program (SMP)
If your school isn’t part of a federal meal service program, don’t worry! The Special Milk Program (SMP) is here to help. The only requirement is that the children who receive milk from SMP are unable to access other school meal programs. The only exception to this requirement being programs such as NSL and SBP.
The SMP focuses on milk due to the importance of milk in a child’s diet. One key component of a healthy diet is milk, which contains calcium and other essential nutrients that help build strong bones. So if you’re looking for a way to provide healthy milk options to your students. You should consider participating in the Special Milk Program for young children who may not yet be eligible for other federal programs.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) serves a specific population that may be at increased nutritional risk. Pregnant women, new mothers, infants younger than one-year-old, and children five years old or younger can benefit from WIC. This program is unique because benefits are not just limited to food assistance. Funds that can be used to purchase certain food items at grocery stores are just one benefit that recipients can utilize. In addition to that, there are thousands of WIC clinics that can provide nutrition education, screenings, and healthcare referrals.
What Other Qualifications are Associated with WIC?
There are additional requirements that need to be met in order to be eligible. When determining who can qualify for WIC, the following factors are also taken into consideration:
- Which of the above categories you fit into.
- Level of income.
- Level of nutritional risk.
- Location/the area that you live in.
Due to the fact that the program is operated at the state level, they determine the exact eligibility requirements. Your WIC state agency is where you will go to apply and to get any questions that you have answered.
Furthermore, WIC can only provide assistance to a limited number of people at one time. Even if you qualify for assistance, there may be a waiting list. Not only that, the program uses a Priority System. Those who need assistance the most will be moved to the front of the line. Once you do receive assistance with WIC, benefits don’t last forever. Each recipient gets a certification period which is how long they can receive benefits.
Bottom Line
Overall, low-income individuals that are struggling with the cost of food can benefit from a few different food assistance options. One program in particular that can provide immediate relief is The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). In order to benefit from TEFAP, you need to find a local organization near you, such as a soup kitchen or food pantry. One of these facilities is where you can receive the assistance that TEFAP provides. This food assistance program is operated using food and funds from the USDA. First, the USDA purchases nutritious foods in bulk and distributes them to state agencies. From there, local organizations can access the supplies they need to serve their communities. Remember, there is nothing shameful or wrong about getting the help you need! Everyone at some point experiences hardship in their lifetime. When you’re back on your feet, you will be thankful you reached out for support.