FOOD INSECURITY
The gap in food security between states issuing pandemic-era assistance and those that aren’t is widening.
As of September 1, 2022, 18 states and territories were no longer delivering emergency SNAP allotments.
The divide in food security between states issuing these extra SNAP benefits has been persistent, but growing wider since July.
“The food stamps are a big help. I can eat healthier and that's important right now because I am trying to lose weight for an upcoming surgery.” — Providers user, Michigan (still issuing emergency allotments)
“My husband works but our bills are so high we can't provide food or other activities food stamps do not consider all bills just a few and it's overwhelming to try and get a job on a hungry stomach or headaches because you’re worrying about how to feed your children that day.” — Providers user, Florida (no longer issuing emergency allotments)
FINANCES
4.5% of Providers users reported selling their plasma in the past 30 days.
The percentage of Providers users that reporting selling their plasma has been creeping up since we first started asking about it in May. The % of users who sell their plasma is markedly higher in states no longer issuing emergency allotments of SNAP:
4.15% of Providers users in states issuing emergency allotments reported selling plasma in the last month
6.23% of Providers users in states no longer issuing emergency allotments reported selling plasma in the last month
UTILITIES
Utility shut offs remain elevated.
Nearly 10% of users reported having their utilities shut off in the past month. The shut off rate has been increasing since June.
“I do need help right now, currently have no lights or water, but no matter what it's always jump thru this hoop and that hoop but the hoops never lead to a solution. It's lost impossible to get a long or some form of support financially. It's simple I need $450.81 for my light bill and about $50 bucks worth of food to keep my family out of the elements and fed right now today!!” — Providers user, Florida
The % of users reporting owing on their utilities and/or other bills has also been increasing since May.
