Report: Thousands in Pa. excluded from emergency SNAP benefits | Friday Morning Coffee

Good Friday Morning, Fellow Seekers.

If there’s one thing that both anecdotal and official evidence confirms, the COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated food insecurity across the country. With millions out of work, food banks and food pantries have been straining to keep up with the demand. And while they’ve certainly helped, the coronavirus relief packages passed by Congress still haven’t closed the gap.

A new report by the progressive Center for American Progress paints a stark picture of how far short the federal relief effort has fallen.

The report focuses on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, passed in March, which included the authorization of “emergency allotments” for families enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, program (as food stamps are now known), giving them the maximum allowable level of benefits for their household size.

As the report notes, this made a huge difference. For instance, a SNAP-eligible household of one received the maximum of $194 in food assistance, irrespective of their calculated net income, the report indicated.

“However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s interpretation of the law excludes households who were receiving the maximum benefit before the passage of the relief package,” researchers found.

“This means that the more than 7 million households across the country who received the maximum in fiscal year 2018—those already deemed to be the poorest and most in need by SNAP eligibility guidelines—received no extra aid as the economy plummeted into a recession,” the report continues. “Despite challenges to the interpretation, almost 40 percent of all SNAP households are left without a needed increase in federal food assistance even while facing an unprecedented rise in food insecurity.”

In Pennsylvania, 35 percent of households, based on 2018, were excluded from the emergency increases. That breaks down to 332,317 households, or 553,901 people. Of that household total, 103,198 were households with children, for a total of 189,627 children, the report found.

“A 15 percent increase in maximum SNAP benefits for all households for the duration of the economic crisis would capture the 12 million individuals excluded from previous legislation and provide a much-needed boost to many of the 6 million new people using the program since the start of the coronavirus crisis,” the analysis concluded. “To ensure that no one continues to go hungry, Congress must prioritize increasing SNAP benefits in the next round of legislation—for everyone this time.”

Our Stuff.
‘14,000 attempts.’ Balky technology, expiring unemployment benefits worry workers, state leaders: A special investigation by reporters across the States Newsroom network looks at the condition of state unemployment systems while Congress struggles to reach an accord on a bill that would extend benefits for tens of millions of workers. Our contribution was reported and written by Stephen Caruso.

While Vice President Mike Pence talked up the police during a stop in Westmoreland County, community advocates held a counter-rally to highlight how they were making things better on their own, Correspondent Tom Lisi reports.

State Rep. Russ Diamond, R-Lebanon, is taking (justifiable) flak for comparing the plight of anti-maskers to the hate faced by LGBTQ Pennsylvanians. Stephen Caruso has the story.

Nick Field crunches the data and takes a look at some of the voter registration gains that Pa. Republicans have made since the June 2 primary.

Historically Black colleges and universities have launched their own COVID-19 testing programs, our partners at the Philadelphia Tribune report.

On our Commentary Page this morning, state Reps. Jared Solomon and Jordan Harris stress the ties that bind Pennsylvania’s Jewish and Black communities in the ongoing fight for tolerance and justice. And occasional contributor Daren Berringer talks to Pittsburgh musicians about how they’re getting through the pandemic.

En la Estrella-Capital: El COVID-19 causa escasez nacional de monedas, confirma la Casa de la Moneda de los Estados Unidos. Y los funcionarios de la escuela dicen Pa. Senado que necesitan ser protegidos de demandas para reabrir de forma segura.

Elsewhere.
The Philadelphia school board has approved a plan to start the new year entirely online, the Inquirer reports.
The Tribune-Review takes a look at how a bad quarter of economic growth has impacted workers in western Pennsylvania.
The Sentinel of Carlisle has the key points from the PIAA’s 26-page return to play plan.
The Morning Call talks to new parents, who are living through what it’s like to raise a newborn during a pandemic.
Activist Gene Stilp was in Luzerne County on Thursday, where he burned Trump flags, and was taunted by counter-protesters, the Citizens-Voice reports.

Here’s your #Pennsylvania Instagram of the Day:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, seen from the east rim in Leonard Harrison State Park. The clouds looked a bit ominous but it didn’t rain. #pastateparks #outdoors #nature #pennsylvaniagrandcanyon #pennsylvania #findyourpark #nofilter

A post shared by Ron Southwick (@ronsouthwick1) on Jul 30, 2020 at 2:09pm PDT

The PA Post talks to Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley, who’s emerged as a leading progressive voice in the region.
WESA-FM was at the Mike Pence rally in Westmoreland County, where the Veep said ‘security is the foundation of our prosperity.’
GoErie looks at the ‘nuance’ behind Erie County’s spike in COVID-19 cases.
Patients nationwide ‘fled’ their primary care physicians during the pandemic, creating new financial stresses for those doctors, Stateline.org reports.
Roll Call has the latest on the COVID-19 relief package talks. No deal on Thursday. Discussions continue today.

What Goes On.
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., will hold a virtual campaign event for Joe Biden in Philly this morning at 10:30 a.m.

You Say It’s Your Birthday Dept.
Best wishes go out this morning to all-purpose agitator Sean Kitchen and to veteran PennLive courts reporter Matt Miller, both of whom celebrate today. Congrats and enjoy the day, gents.

Heavy Rotation.
Here’s a deep cut from Radiohead to finish out the working week. From 1996, it’s ‘Talk Show Host.’

Friday’s Gratuitous Baseball Link.
Baltimore lost 8-6 to New York on Thursday night. New York’s Aaron Judge homered on the way to the win.

And now you’re up to date.