Katko Announces USDA Change To Expand Nutrition Assistance For Working Families Impacted By COVID-19

SYRACUSE, N.Y.— Following advocacy by U.S. Rep. John Katko (R, NY-24), this week the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved New York State’s request to operate a Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program.

This move will expand access to nutrition assistance for working families who are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement comes after Rep. Katko and U.S. Rep. Joseph Morelle (D, NY-25) led a bipartisan effort urging the USDA to ensure food security for Central New York families.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, bipartisan legislation that addressed the COVID-19 pandemic, authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to approve state emergency plans for certain nutrition assistance programs, including the administration of Pandemic EBT. Pandemic EBT provides low-income families struggling with food access and affordability with additional financial assistance for grocery purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Following passage of this legislation, in an effort to expedite nutrition assistance for local families, Reps. Katko and Morelle requested USDA provide swift approval for New York’s request to administer Pandemic EBT.

“I’m glad USDA acted swiftly in approving our request to deliver support for Central New York families,” said Rep. Katko. “As Central New York contends with significant public health concerns and economic uncertainty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative nutrition assistance programs remain responsive to the evolving needs our community. Allowing New York State to operate Pandemic EBT will help ensure families in our community can keep nutritious food on their tables during this crisis.”

“In New York State, more than 1.8 million children are eligible to receive free/reduced price breakfast and lunch at school each day,” said Sherry Tomasky, Director of Public Affairs at Hunger Solutions New York. “When access to school meals are disrupted, children can become food insecure quite quickly.  While schools and community organizations are providing meals to fill the gap, tremendous barriers for families remain.  Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) will provide critical resources for families to keep meals on the table.  Representatives Katko and Morelle rightfully recognized the need for swift approval of NY’s P-EBT plan, and we thank them for leading this successful effort.”

\The full text of the letter can be found below:

Dear Secretary Perdue,

We write in support of efforts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand access to nutrition assistance programs for struggling Americans during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In the interest of keeping food on the table for families in our districts, we request that USDA swiftly approve Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) for New York State.

As communities across New York State contend with the significant public health concerns and economic uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic, nutrition assistance programs must remain responsive to the evolving needs of working families. In response to this unprecedented crisis, schools and foodbanks in our districts have worked hard to maintain food security through the free and reduced-price school lunch program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program. Unfortunately, logistical and administrative obstacles, as well as unprecedented demand, still often prevent children and families from accessing nutritious foods through these programs.

Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, the Secretary of Agriculture has the authority to approve state emergency plans that provide additional flexibility for the administration of certain nutrition assistance programs. Twelve states have received approval under this provision to administer P-EBT, which provides direct assistance to low-income families struggling with food access and affordability as a result of the pandemic. P-EBT offers benefits that can be spent at local grocers, streamlining access to nutritious foods for working families and reducing administrative costs for local schools and foodbanks.

In the interest of expediting nutrition assistance to our constituents, we ask that USDA approve P-EBT administration in New York State. This program will provide critical flexibility to families, schools, and nutrition assistance providers as they work to keep food on the table in households across the state.

Thank you in advance for your time and attention to this request.

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