Existing SNAP Recipients
Existing SNAP recipients will continue to receive benefits as scheduled.

Prospective SNAP Recipients
If someone you know or are serving may qualify go to: www.hungerfreeok.org/groceries to apply online. If you need assistance with the application, call the SNAP Hotline toll free at 1 (877) 760-0114. If you are already enrolled in SNAP and need to make changes, call DHS directly at 405-522-5050.

What has changed so far?

• SNAP quality control interviews can be conducted via phone (instead of in-person) in Oklahoma through June 2020. (USDA)
• Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act signed into law on 3/18/2020, the work and training requirements for low-income unemployed or underemployed individuals to receive SNAP benefits are suspended. In addition, any amount of time that a low-income jobless individual spends receiving SNAP benefits during the pandemic will not be counted against future benefit time limits. (Updated 7/15/20)
• Under the Coronavirus Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, an additional $15.5 billion in SNAP funding was provided to cover the projected increase in applications as well as the costs of relief authorized in the Families First Act. (Updated 7/15/20)
• Oklahoma DHS may not require the normal interview to begin issuing SNAP benefits to a household provided they are able to verify identity and complete all other mandatory verifications through June of 2020. (Updated 7/15/20)
• Oklahoma DHS may extend recertification for up to 6 months for those that would have normally recertified in March – June 2020. (Updated 7/15/20)
• Oklahoma DHS issued emergency allotments to households that were not already receiving the max benefit in for the months of March-August. Emergency allotments are typically issued between the 10-15 of each month. (Updated 8/17/20)
• Oklahoma DHS may modify the overpayment claim establishment and collection process and timeline through June 2020. Please contact Oklahoma DHS for additional guidance. (Updated 7/15/20)
• Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act signed into law on 3/18/2020, states are authorized to provide an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card to purchase food to households with children receiving free or reduced-price school meals in the event of school closures. Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) was approved by the USDA on 6/25/20 to operate in Oklahoma to replace school meal benefits lost between March-May 2020. Households should receive additional funds on an existing EBT card, or a new EBT card in the mail, no later than 8/30/20. No additional application is required to receive P-EBT benefits. For more information visit: http://www.okdhs.org/library/news/rel/Pages/comm07072020.aspx (Updated 7/13/20)

What changes could we see in the future?

• Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act signed into law on 3/18/2020, states are authorized to request waivers from the USDA to provide temporary, emergency coronavirus response SNAP (CR-SNAP aka Emergency Allotments) benefits to SNAP recipients, up to the maximum monthly allotment. Emergency allotments were issued for March-August. Additional Emergency Allotments may be issued for months after July pending approval by the USDA. (Updated 8/17/20)
• Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act signed into law on 3/18/2020, states are authorized to provide an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card to purchase food to households with children receiving free or reduced-price school meals in the event of school closures. Pandemic EBT is pending action by OKDHS.  Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) was approved by the USDA on 6/25/20 to operate in Oklahoma to replace school meal benefits lost between March-May 2020. P-EBT operation could be extended by congress for additional months in a future coronavirus response package. (Updated 7/13/20)
• Extension of streamlined application and approval processes for new SNAP applicants, as well as renewals for existing SNAP recipients. (Updated 7/13/20)
• The ability to use SNAP EBT cards to purchase groceries online. Oklahoma was approved to begin the preparation to operate the program on 5/20/20. This program is pending action by Oklahoma DHS. (Updated 7/13/20)
• A boost to the maximum and minimum SNAP benefit. This is pending action by Congress. (Updated 7/13/20)

What has changed so far?
The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) has made application to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to waive certain child nutrition program requirements. Find more details on the waivers below by visiting https://sde.ok.gov/child-nutrition-programs.

• Allow Non-Congregate Feeding – Approved 3/20/20 . Effective through 6/30/20 or upon expiration of the federally declared public health emergency, whichever is earlier. Effective through 6/30/21
• Activity Requirement in the Afterschool Care – Approved 3/20/20. Effective through 6/30/20.
• Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility – Approved 3/20/20. Effective through 6/30/20.
• Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick up Meals for Children – Approved 3/25/20. Effective through 6/30/20.
• Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Deadlines in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program – Approved 3/25/20. Waiver deadlines.
• Allow Schools Which Fail to Meet the 50% Free and Reduced Area Eligibility by Site to Serve Meals on the SSO – Approved 3/18/20. Effective through 8/31/20.
• Allow Meal Service Time Flexibility – Approved 3/20/20. Effective through 6/30/21.
• Allow schools to waive the requirement to follow “Offer vs. Serve” principles. – Effective through 6/30/21.
• Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act signed into law on 3/18/2020, states are authorized to provide an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card to purchase food to households with children receiving free or reduced-price school meals in the event of school closures. Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) was approved by the USDA on 6/25/20 to operate in Oklahoma to replace school meal benefits lost between March-May 2020. Households should receive additional funds on an existing EBT card, or a new EBT card in the mail, no later than 8/30/20. No additional application is required to receive P-EBT benefits. For more information visit: http://www.okdhs.org/library/news/rel/Pages/comm07072020.aspx (Updated 7/13/20)

What changes could we see in the future?
The extension of deadlines for existing program flexibilities. This is pending action by the USDA.

Existing WIC recipients
WIC recipients should temporarily be able to satisfy certification or re-certification requirements without the need to be physically present at a clinic. (Updated 3/28/20)

Prospective WIC recipients
If you are interested in applying for WIC: In Oklahoma, WIC is administered through 10 programs. For convenience, WIC applicants can choose the nearest WIC location or the program of preference. All WIC programs are open to Native and Non-Native participants. Click on any of the Oklahoma WIC Programs below to learn more:

• • • Oklahoma State Department of Health
    • Cherokee Nation
    • Chickasaw Nation
    • Choctaw Nation
    • Citizen Potawatomi Nation
    • Inter Tribal Council of Oklahoma
    • Muscogee (Creek) Nation
    • Osage Nation – Call 1-800-460-1006
    • The Otoe-Missouria Tribe
    • WCD

Any changes to the WIC Program?
The following items were added to the list of WIC-approved items effective 4/8/2020:

• Medium and large brown eggs by the dozen (not organic),
• 8 and 32 ounce blocks of cheese and 8, 16, and 32 ounce bags of shredded cheese (no italian, mexican, or taco blends).

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law on 3/18/2020. The bill provided an additional $500 million to the WIC program. In addition, the bill provided additional authority to the USDA to grant waivers for certain requirements. Oklahoma WIC made application and had the requirements listed below waived. This means that anyone that would like to certify or recertify for state WIC can do so over the phone without the requirement to physically visit a clinic for the near future.

• The physical presence requirement is waived through 9/30/2020.
• Anthropometric measurements requirement is waived through 9/30/2020.
• Blood work requirement is waived through 9/30/2020.
• The nutrition assessment form will be reduced to identify basic needs and will be utilized to complete phone certifications and recertifications.

What changes could we see in the future?
State or Federal action to substitute certain food package items with similar items when WIC approved foods are unavailable.

Existing senior meal recipients
Congregate meal locations will be moving to alternative, non-congregate models. Contact your provider with any questions you may have.

Potential senior meal recipients
If you or someone you know is looking for senior meals please visit http://www.okdhs.org/OKDHS%20Publication%20Library/91-27.pdf

Any changes to senior meal programs?

• The Oklahoma Department of Human Services has received federal guidance and approval to move congregate senior meals to delivery models.
• Under the Families First Act, an additional $250 million in senior nutrition program funding was authorized to provide approximately 25 million additional home-delivered and pre-packaged meals to low income seniors. (Updated 3/28/20)
• Under the Coronavirus Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, an additional $955 million in funding was authorized for the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to provide support to a number of their services, including senior nutrition programs. (Updated 3/28/20)

What changes could we see in the future?
Additional funds provided through a federal relief package to expand number of meals served.