Cherokee Nation
Good News! SUN Bucks is Available in Your Location
Find stores near you that accept SUN Bucks, or learn how to qualify and apply.
Find stores near you that accept SUN Bucks, or learn how to qualify and apply.
Find stores near you that accept SUN Bucks, or learn how to qualify and apply.
Find stores near you that accept SUN Bucks, or learn how to qualify and apply.
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the lead federal agency for federal pandemic response. Federal interagency partners support HHS, as requested, to assist state, local, tribal, and territorial partners in their pandemic preparedness and response activities. In some cases, responding to a public health emergency such as a human pandemic will require social distancing by keeping people from gathering in groups, including keeping children home from school and childcare in order to slow the spread of an infection.
FNS nutrition assistance programs have a role in responding to nutrition assistance needs during a human pandemic. Flexibilities already exist in some of the nutrition assistance programs that could support social distancing measures during a human pandemic such as alternatives to schools meals and mailing or electronic transmission of benefits.
Read FNS COVID-19 Response |
All USDA/FNS nutrition assistance programs, including SNAP, WIC, and the child nutrition programs, have flexibilities that allow them to respond to on-the-ground realities and support response and recovery efforts.
These programs are primarily administered at the state level and operated locally; states have a number of flexibilities that they may use without further approval from USDA to address the needs of participants during a public health emergency including:
Even without a disaster declaration, USDA may grant waivers from certain program requirements. These options are even more robust in the event of a Major Presidential Disaster Declaration allowing individual assistance:
States can employ these flexibilities as they develop a pandemic response strategy customized to the needs of their respective populations. They are encouraged to work with local public health officials, in coordination with other federal, state, and local programs, to understand the conditions and constraints under which these may be most appropriate and effective.
In addition, many USDA nutrition assistance programs have contingency funds and other reserve funding to cover any increases in enrollment that may result from an outbreak or pandemic. USDA always stands ready to work with Congress if additional resources are needed.