
-
BlogRelease of USDA funds will bolster county efforts to fight food insecurity during the pandemic.USDA releases ARPA funding to bolster federal nutrition programs
-
Blog
USDA releases ARPA funding to bolster federal nutrition programs
During the week of April 26, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the release of two tranches of funding authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA): $1.135 billion to bolster state administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and a $490 million increase to the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). These supplemental funds not only aim to provide resources to vulnerable individuals and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but to also aid state and local governments as they administer vital services to our nation’s most vulnerable populations.
SNAP is a federal entitlement program that offers nutrition assistance to millions of low-income individuals and families. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, SNAP has been vital program to helping struggling families keep food on the table while also effectively and efficiently stimulating the economy. Ten states, which represent 32 percent of total program participants, delegate the administration of SNAP to counties, who often contribute local dollars to the program’s 50 percent non-federal administrative match. The additional $1.135 billion for states, an amount commensurate with a 100 percent federal administrative match, will allow state and local governments to invest in technology to increase access to SNAP, expand opportunities to better reach vulnerable populations and improve reporting on program outcomes to enable data-driven decision making.
The USDA also released $490 million to bolster WIC, a program that provides food assistance, nutrition education and service referrals to nutritionally-at-risk, low-income pregnant/post-partum women, infants and children. Although WIC is primarily administered by the federal and state governments, it operates through 1,900 local agencies at 10,000 clinic sites, many of which are county health departments. The emergency funds offer states, tribal nations and territories the option of boosting the cash-value voucher benefit from $9 per child and $11 per pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding women up to $35 per child and adult for up to four months. This increase in monthly benefits will help ensure that food insecure families and individuals have the ability to purchase nutritious meals while stimulating local economies.
As county residents continue to grapple with the economic impacts of the pandemic, federal nutrition programs have played a key role in helping families across the country. NACo continues to work with our federal partners to ensure counties and our residents have the necessary resources and flexibility during the COVID-19 national public health emergency and beyond.
Release of USDA funds will bolster county efforts to fight food insecurity during the pandemic.2021-04-30Blog2021-05-10
During the week of April 26, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the release of two tranches of funding authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA): $1.135 billion to bolster state administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and a $490 million increase to the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). These supplemental funds not only aim to provide resources to vulnerable individuals and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but to also aid state and local governments as they administer vital services to our nation’s most vulnerable populations.
SNAP is a federal entitlement program that offers nutrition assistance to millions of low-income individuals and families. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, SNAP has been vital program to helping struggling families keep food on the table while also effectively and efficiently stimulating the economy. Ten states, which represent 32 percent of total program participants, delegate the administration of SNAP to counties, who often contribute local dollars to the program’s 50 percent non-federal administrative match. The additional $1.135 billion for states, an amount commensurate with a 100 percent federal administrative match, will allow state and local governments to invest in technology to increase access to SNAP, expand opportunities to better reach vulnerable populations and improve reporting on program outcomes to enable data-driven decision making.
The USDA also released $490 million to bolster WIC, a program that provides food assistance, nutrition education and service referrals to nutritionally-at-risk, low-income pregnant/post-partum women, infants and children. Although WIC is primarily administered by the federal and state governments, it operates through 1,900 local agencies at 10,000 clinic sites, many of which are county health departments. The emergency funds offer states, tribal nations and territories the option of boosting the cash-value voucher benefit from $9 per child and $11 per pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding women up to $35 per child and adult for up to four months. This increase in monthly benefits will help ensure that food insecure families and individuals have the ability to purchase nutritious meals while stimulating local economies.
As county residents continue to grapple with the economic impacts of the pandemic, federal nutrition programs have played a key role in helping families across the country. NACo continues to work with our federal partners to ensure counties and our residents have the necessary resources and flexibility during the COVID-19 national public health emergency and beyond.

About Rachel Mackey (Full Bio)
Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services
Rachel serves as legislative director for human services and education.More from Rachel Mackey
-
Blog
Addressing social determinants of health with GIS technology
Discover the transformative power of GIS technology in addressing social determinants of health and building healthier communities. -
Blog
HHS proposes new rule to improve availability of kinship foster care homes
On February 14, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced a new proposed regulation that would allow child welfare agencies to adopt less burdensome licensing standards for all relative and kinship foster family homes. -
Blog
Pandemic-era SNAP benefits expire
On March 1, the temporary boost to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits known as emergency allotments came to an end. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, these increased monthly benefits were authorized in 2020 by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA, P.L. 116-127) and provided vulnerable households with additional grocery benefits to help mitigate the negative economic impacts caused by the pandemic. -
County News
Peers recognize Rock County, Wis. opioid settlement plan
Hearing from the people most affected by substance use disorder helped Rock County, Wis. craft a plan for the funds it will receive from the national opioid settlements. -
County News
Just a phone call away: County program matches seniors with new friends to deter isolation
Dutchess County, N.Y. is pairing volunteers with seniors to help build new friendships and connections via regular phone calls. -
Blog
HHS releases guidance on the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
On February 9, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released new guidance on the agency’s plan to end the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration on May 11, 2023.
-
Webinar
County Strategies to Provide Supportive Housing for Familiar Faces
March 29, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmWhat does it take to house and support familiar faces?03292:00 pm<p> What does it take to house and support familiar faces?
-
Webinar
County Leaders Championing Justice Efforts in Local Communities
April 5, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmCounties are directing resources to programs, practices and policies to reduce the overuse and misuse of the criminal legal system, improve public safety, better serve residents with behavioral health conditions and improve community stability and health.04052:00 pm<p>Counties are directing resources to programs, practices and policies to reduce the overuse and misuse of the criminal legal system, improve public safety, better serve residents with behavioral health conditions and improve communit
-
Basic page
Transforming County Human Services Network
Counties Matter in Human Services There are over 257,000 county human services employees across the country delivering vital services to our nation’s most vulnerable populations.pagepagepage<h3><strong>Counties Matter in Human Services</strong></h3>
-
Basic page
Human Services & Education Steering Committee
All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. Policy Platform & Resolutions 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary,
Contact
-
Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services(202) 661-8843
Related Posts
-
BlogAddressing social determinants of health with GIS technologyMar. 15, 2023
-
BlogHHS proposes new rule to improve availability of kinship foster care homesMar. 14, 2023
-
BlogPandemic-era SNAP benefits expireMar. 13, 2023
Related Resources
-
Reports & ToolkitsThe County Role In Long-Term CareFeb. 24, 2023
-
Reports & ToolkitsLegislative Toolkit for Counties: Priorities for Strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)Feb. 11, 2023
-
Policy BriefSupport the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)Feb. 1, 2023
Related Events
-
29Mar2023Webinar
County Strategies to Provide Supportive Housing for Familiar Faces
Mar. 29, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
5Apr2023Webinar
County Leaders Championing Justice Efforts in Local Communities
Apr. 5, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
More From
-
Legislative Analysis for Counties: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023
This analysis includes funding highlights for key programs impacting counties.
Learn More