LINCOLN- Starting on Wednesday, March 1st, a large swath of low-income families in the U.S. faced difficult choices following the end of Covid-era federal food stamp protections. However, a new bill introduced by Senator Day, LB84, would extend the deadline of these protections past the end of September, allowing families to maintain food security for an extended amount of time.

"This was legislation that was introduced during the pandemic to give extra access to families that were struggling during the pandemic," said Mike Hornacek, president and CEO of Together Omaha, "Unfortunately, as we know now, food insecurity rates are the highest they've ever been even post-pandemic, whether that has to do with inflation and many other things, so this legislation is critical."

Hornacek stated that, if LB84 fails to pass, around 10,000 Nebraska families stand to lose SNAP benefits come late September. 32 other states have extended supplementary Covid-era benefits, but many will still lose benefits after March 11th, when most of the benefits are set to end. Currently, around 42 million Americans receive SNAP assistance in the U.S., with most being working families.

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