The CARES Act: Nutrition Assistance & Support for Washingtonians During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Led by efforts from U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Congress recently passed the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help support workers, families, businesses, communities and more struggling due to the coronavirus pandemic and response. The CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020, and makes several investments in programs to help families get nutritious food despite hardship caused by the COVID-19 crisis. This includes:

🔘 SNAP: $15.5 billion in strengthened investments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides families with low incomes assistance to buy nutritious food

🔘 Child Nutrition Programs: $8.8 billion nationally to help schools provide nutritious meals to students

🔘 Support for Food Banks: Investments to support community programs to address food insecurity, including $450 million nationally for food banks

Senator Murray is committed to building on the steps taken in the CARES Act to strengthen investments in vital federal food assistance programs that help ensure children, families and communities across Washington state have access to nutritious food during these uncertain times. For more information about SNAP benefits under the CARES Act, visit HERE. Find more information about food assistance in Washington state or to see if you qualify, visit HERE.