COVID-19 Chapters are Updated

Since April 2020, the Benefits Plus Learning Center has been current on the changes to policy and procedures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the height of the pandemic there were many federal and state waivers to provide greater flexibility in the application process for cash benefit programs. However, many of these waivers have expired. In addition, some programs that were created during the pandemic are no longer available.

Key changes to watch for:

• The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 law, which was recently passed by Congress:
  • Ended the SNAP Emergency Allotment (EA), also known as a SNAP supplement.
  • No longer tied to the Public Health Emergency (PHE) to the continuation of Medicaid easements as a result the easements will begin to be lifted on April 1, 2023. This means that all Renewal cases with authorization dates ending on June 30, 2023 will undergo a full review under pre-pandemic rules.
• As of January 20, 2023 New York State is no longer accepting ERAP applications. Applications submitted before the application portal closed will continue to be processed in the order received, consistent with State law and program rules.
• The American Rescue Plan Act has lapsed for tax year 2022. As a result, the child tax credit, child & dependent care tax credit, and the EITC will revert back to the benefits and income guidelines available prior to the Plan.
• Back in 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act modified and extended the Emergency Broad Band benefit (EBB) to create a permanent program called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

See these changes and more here https://bplc.cssny.org/pbm/covid-19-resources/over...