LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Temporary Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits brought on by the pandemic ended in April 2022 for several states, including Kentucky. The extra SNAP monies end for the remaining 32 states next month.

But a new survey shows how serious food insecurity levels are as prices rise and more pandemic related benefits are ending.

What You Need To Know

  • ParentsTogether Action is a nonprofit comprising over 3 million parents

  • The nonprofit conducted a 2023 survey on low- and middle-income families in terms of their financial insecurity 

  • It found that 64% of respondents said their family finds it hard to make ends meet right now

  • Paying for essentials like diapers, formula and feminine hygiene products accounted for 60% of respondents’ biggest challenge

The survey conducted by the national nonprofit ParentsTogether Action asked over 550 primarily low- and middle-income families about their state of financial insecurity.

Taken the first week of February this year, it found that 64% of respondents said their family finds it hard to make ends meet right now—with the biggest challenge being food. Paying for essentials like diapers, formula and feminine hygiene products accounted for 60% of respondents’ biggest challenge.

Additionally, 57% of respondents saying their biggest challenge was paying for utilities. Ailen Arreaza serves as the executive director of ParentsTogether Action, says the program works for families who may be struggling. 

“This is a program that worked, right? Families were getting extra help, and they were able to afford extra food to feed their families. Why are we getting rid of it?” Arreaza asked. “If we have a solution that works and that families are benefiting from, kids are being able to be fed to thrive, it doesn’t really make sense for us to get rid of something that’s helping families.”

Arreaza says the nonprofit currently has a membership of just over 3 million parents. The group says they’ll continue to advocate for families on Capitol Hill, where they fear some politicians will continue to make cuts to federal food assistance as a part of debt ceiling negotiations. 

The extra SNAP benefits were a temporary measure authorized by Congress to help people cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, but a 2023 law passed by Congress makes those extra funds expire by March 2023.

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