Meng Statement on Biden Actions to Combat Food Insecurity

January 23, 2021
Press Release
QUEENS, NY – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) today issued the following statement after President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order to help working families have access to nutritious meals.
Specifically, the Executive Order (EO):
  • Urges U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue new guidance that would help 12 million people receive enhanced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. While Congress authorized emergency increases to SNAP, this was not available to the lowest income households. The EO corrects this error.
  • Urges USDA to issue new guidance that would expand Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) by 15 percent to accurately reflect the cost of missing meals and make it easier for families to access this program.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act that Meng supported permits temporary food benefits under the P-EBT program for households with children who would have received free or reduced-price school meals. The benefit applies to private, parochial and charter school students who received free school lunches. Last year, the benefit provided New York City public school parents with $420 per child.
"Food insecurity during COVID-19 has brought immeasurable pain for millions of families. It breaks my heart that anyone—especially children—would go to sleep on an empty stomach. But this is a gut-wrenching reality for so many Queens and New York families," said Meng. "President Biden is making real progress and using the levers of government to help those most in need. Last year, I led numerous letters urging the previous administration to take critical action to address the hunger crisis in our country. I applaud today's action and look forward to working on the next coronavirus relief package to help millions of families facing food insecurity."
Those who need to replace their P-EBT card should call 1-888-328-6399 or visit New York State's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance website.