On Thursday, October 1, 2020, a continuing resolution was approved to extend $1.4 trillion in government funding until December 11, 2020. A summary of the resolution is available here. Notably, it:
- allows the Food and Nutrition Service to spend at a higher rate, ensuring the Summer EBT program is fully operational by May 2021;
- allows the Food and Nutrition Service to spend at a higher rate to provide supplemental USDA foods to low-income seniors and to some low-income women, infants, and children up to age six;
- extends funding for the Temporary Assistance for Need Families program and the Child Care Entitlement to States program to allow HHS to make first-quarter payments to states;
- extends P-EBT through September 30, 2021, and expands the program to include children at child care centers affected by COVID-19 closures and reduced attendance;
- extends waivers for the National School Lunch Program and WIC that were included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act until September 30, 2021 (includes non-congregate and meal pattern waivers);
- allows states to extend administrative flexibilities for SNAP through September 30, 2021; and
- includes $8 billion for nutrition assistance for children and families.