If there is anyone on SW who lives in the United States and who receives SNAP benefits...

I have done a little research. Here is how to obtain some extra food in November when benefits will be discontinued.

1. On your EBT card, you may have received a $21 fuel assistance benefit. This can be used to buy food.

2. Your supplemental health insurance company may or may not offer over the counter benefits, with a card that can be used to purchase them. In some instances, companies like United Health care supplemental insurance will allow you to buy food using your U card. You can buy food at Stop and Shop, Walmart, or CVS using the U card. Aetna and Humana also allow their members to buy food using their OTC benefit.

Please be aware that OTC benefits can NOT be used to buy candy, unhealthy snacks, ice cream, alcohol, or cigarettes. They can be used for healthy foods only.

3, Food banks and food pantries, through local churches and local homeless shelters. An online search of your local area using your zip code and searching "food pantries" will usually give you the location of ALL food pantries or food banks in your local area.

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BrandNewMan · 61-69, M Best Comment

Very thoughtful post. ♥

For those who can afford to .. donating to food drives at the grocery or community drives like Scouting for Food is as or more important than ever this year.

4meAndyou · F

@BrandNewMan Absolutely!!!

I devote one day a week every week to bringing in food for my neighbors who really can't afford to buy groceries and who need some assistance.

I go to a local food pantry to get food for them, and I have three other volunteer drivers...(one full time and two substitutes)...in addition to volunteers to help me unload my car and unpack the food. Sometimes we even divide up the food into smaller, one person portions.

I don't have the money to BUY food for them, but believe me, if I could, I would.

Mbingh01 · 61-69, F

@4meAndyou you really are an Angel 😇 If I lived close to you I’d help be a delivery person!

4meAndyou · F

@Mbingh01 And I would welcome you with open arms. We NEED more volunteers...this month especially! 🤗🤗🤗

jackrabbit10 · M

where I live I don't know of anyone that goes hungry. we have floods. tornados; in the winter snow blocks the roads. you spend 7 to 8 days no elec. everyone has emergency food in the storeroom. sure, everyone in the states has food for a few weeks.

Barefooter25 · 46-50, M

Before the shutdown, I have never heard of SNAP. I had to Google to see what the acronym meant. I am really bad at those. I am sure all 50 states have their own benefits and versions of SNAP.

4meAndyou · F

@Barefooter25 I've done a separate post on that. The feds fund SNAP, and only SOME states can afford to supplement it, or even continue it without federal funds.

nudistsueaz · 61-69, F

We never have. I do think it's important for those that need it.

4meAndyou · F

@nudistsueaz That is a great thing, and something to be proud of! If you can afford to donate to your local food pantry, even a tiny bit of food would probably be much appreciated by those who will need it this month.

nudistsueaz · 61-69, F

@4meAndyou 🎯

Cigarguy · 41-45, M

Most of the plans you are talking about are ones that combined Medicare and Medicaid. You can get a plan called a D-snp. Depending on the level of Medicaid you qualify for the more help you are able to get. It is open enrollment in Medicare so now is the perfect time for people to review their plans and see if they qualify for one.

jackrabbit10 · M

I have never received snap. don't know anyone that has,

4meAndyou · F

@jackrabbit10 THAT is a wonderful thing. Since I moved to this apartment building, I've met a LOT of people who receive SNAP benefits, and it is heartbreaking. THAT is why I drive to the food pantry every Friday and load up my car with food to share with all my neighbors.

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