Amplifying Public COVID-19 Information for Families
In the height of COVID-19, FNS has created the following website summarizing a series of changes pertinent to the pandemic. mRelief built a tool that programmatically parses data on this site daily. We also have a senior researcher that reviews this data for more specific policy nuances. After this data is parsed, it is updated in our database for clients who are pre-screening for SNAP to see the latest updates. Our team also receives a daily email with updates.
The major updates that we have provided to SNAP clients across the US include updates on policies:
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Allowing extension of certification periods to the maximum available
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Providing emergency allotments to the maximum benefit amounts
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Streamlining the program by exempting households from certain requirements
Considering that certification extension and maximum allotment are live in 42 states and 50 states and DC respectively, we have used our screening platform — live in all 50 states and DC — to raise awareness of these changes to families who come to our site to see if they might likely qualify for SNAP. Below is an example of what families might see as they answer simple questions to pre-screen for SNAP today.
As these waivers are requested each day, we are particularly interested in supporting new waivers in the pipeline such as those forPandemic EBT (6 states) and Adjustments to Interview Requirements waiver (requested by 30 states).
We want to inform families who may sometimes struggle to submit verifications on the potential that timely verification submission will have on unlocking SNAP dollars. We also want to enable caseworkers to dispose of a case on the quickest timeline. Answer our2-question survey so we can notify families in your state.
