Additional SNAP Emergency Payments Expiring In March

A major change is coming for the 400,000 Oklahomans who use SNAP benefits.

In March, families will no longer receive additional emergency payments.

The pandemic-related emergency payments were intended to increase households’ monthly SNAP benefits.

This is something families have been receiving for almost three years now.

Deborah Smith, the Director of Adult and Family Services At OKDHS, said starting in March, that extra payment will expire.

"We know that these additional benefits have been really critical to meeting the needs of Oklahomans during these difficult times," Smith said.

Customers’ regular snap benefits are loaded onto their EBT cards the first through the 10th of the month

These additional benefits, called “emergency allotments,” have been arriving in the second half of the month.

"There would not be a change there unless there was something about their out income or household size that changed. The only thing that will change is that they will not receive that second payment," Smith said.

No more second payment. That is the change. As far as the benefits already on the EBT cards, they will not go away. They will remain for one year after their disbursement.

"If an individual or family currently has benefits on their EBT card they can continue to use those amounts,” Smith said.

Losing that second payment may be burdensome on some Oklahomans. There are resources available to help.

"We just really want to encourage you to reach out to ask for extra help and ask your community partners, they can help you and fill in the gap," Smith said.

Oklahoma Human Services said they care about its customers and know that this change will impact the way Oklahomans feed their families. There are a number of community resources available across the state to help.

1. 2-1-1: Call 2-1-1 or click here.
2. Be a Neighbor: click here.
3. Hunger Free Oklahoma: Call 877-760-0114 or click here.
4. Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma: Call 405-972-1111 or click here.
5. Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma: In Tulsa, call 918-585-2800 or McAlester, call 918-429-7755 or click here.
6. Oklahoma Women, Infants & Children Program (WIC): Call 405-426-8500 or click here.

 Oklahomans who need to apply for SNAP, Child Care assistance or other programs administered by Oklahoma Human Services, click here.