The Office of Family Assistance hosted a free PeerTA webinar on TANF and Food Insecurity on December 1, 2020. A study by the Urban Institute found that as of May 2020, two months into the COVID-19 pandemic, more than one in six adults (17.7%) and more than one in five parents living with children (21.8%) experienced food insecurity during the prior 30 days. Further, adults and families of color experienced food insecurity at higher rates than their peers. Public benefits programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs are critical resources for TANF families mitigating food insecurity during this time. Since most TANF families (84.3%) also receive SNAP benefits and other support, coordination between programs can reduce administrative burdens for participants, increasing the likelihood that participants will be able to access and receive the full suite of supportive services. Additionally, TANF partnerships with charitable organizations and food banks can help to reduce food insecurity and fill critical gaps for TANF families.

This webinar explored strategies for supporting vulnerable families, particularly as it relates to food insecurity, and the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on service delivery. A researcher panel discussed how TANF programs have addressed food insecurity with their participants through strengthened coordination with SNAP and other public programs. In addition, several State and Tribal programs discussed innovative partnerships between TANF agencies and charitable efforts to reduce food insecurity in local communities.

Speakers included: • Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, Northwestern University/Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) • Maria Boyle and Jillian Ouellette, Abt Associates • Julie Garreau, Cheyenne River Youth Project (CRYP) (unable to attend, but her PowerPoint was presented) • Alexis Fernandez, California Department of Social Services • Tikki Brown, Minnesota Family Investment Program

This U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service report identifies the occurrence of food insecurity among all households and households with children and food insecurity levels by state. The report also includes data on food security among households receiving SNAP and participation rates for SNAP among food insecure households as well as average food expenditures for all households and households with children. The data in the report was collected in December 2019.

This webpage from Feeding America offers facts about the prevalence of food insecurity across the country and profiles examples of persons affected by hunger and food insecurity.

This interactive mapping tool of the United States offers the ability to locate a local food bank, either by zip code or state. Information provided includes the food bank’s name, street address, phone number, web address, and links to access local services offered.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Hunger Clearinghouse provides information about food resources available near an address or zip code, including meal sites, food banks, and other social services. Information from the Clearinghouse is accessible by contacting the USDA National Hunger Hotline by phone (with English and Spanish phone numbers provided) or by text.

This interactive set of waivers, issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, features the distribution and funding for food purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Areas covered by the waiver include additional funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), disaster household distribution, food distribution on Indian reservations, funding sources for TEFAP, and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Flexibilities for Tribal organizations and State agencies that administer FDPIR.

This webpage provides summaries on waivers that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service issued to increase flexibility in funding and administration of SNAP programs. Coverage of waivers identified on this webpage includes: Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer, SNAP Online Purchasing, Time Limit Suspensions, Claims, Fair Hearings, Reporting, and Flexibility for States with Increasing Workloads.

This interactive set of continuously updated state profiles presents waivers that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service has granted for emergency allotments of SNAP and other funds to address food insecurity in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This issue brief provides definitions and summaries of the concepts of “food insecurity” and “food insufficiency” and offers initial data on current levels of food insecurity (in aggregate) compared to 2018 and 2019. The brief also covers how research can identify the gap in who receives food assistance, as well as the differences in outcomes between government-administered food and nutrition programs and non-governmental emergency food assistance programs (such as food banks or pantries) that aim to address food insecurity.

The SNAP participation rate is the percentage of eligible people across the U.S. actually participating in the SNAP program. This research brief presents estimates of State SNAP participation rates for all eligible people and “working poor” people for fiscal year 2017. These estimates can be used to assess program performance and improve program access. The brief also includes a chart on participation rates by state comparing all eligible people and the working poor in 2015, 2016, and 2017.