Conclusion
Hunger and food insecurity are serious public health threats that impact tens of millions of Americans and disproportionately affect low-income populations. The economic crisis tied to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacts these populations and puts millions more at risk for hunger, food insecurity, and poverty. This brief offers considerations for policymakers through the remainder of the pandemic and economic recession and beyond including: increasing benefits now and going forward to enhance anti-poverty and anti-hunger effects; continuing Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (Pandemic-EBT) through the summer and into the new school year as needed; streamlining eligibility and enrollment processes and focus enrollment efforts on communities with low participation; and, rolling back harmful regulations that limit participation in SNAP.