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What pandemic-era relief programs are ending soon? Here’s a list

During the Covid-19 pandemic, lawmakers passed a number of relief packages to help those struggling economically.
A sheet of uncut $100 bills is inspected at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing Western Currency Facility on Sept. 24, 2013.
Posted at 5:13 PM, Jul 25, 2023

Some pandemic-era relief programs will soon expire. Here's what you should pay attention to.

The first program expiring is the pause on student loans. Federal student loan accounts have been frozen since early 2020, but interest will start accruing again September 1. Bills will start going out shortly after.

Department of Education student loan site.

Get ready: Student loan interest, payments set to resume

Payments won't come out automatically, and there are options to help lower monthly payments when they resume later this year.

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The second program to end is the suspension of work requirements for food stamps. Congress suspended certain work requirements for adults in order to get food stamps during the pandemic.

This fall, that will change. Adults ages 18-49 without dependents will only be able to receive food stamps three months out of every three years, unless they work at least 20 hours a week.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Calif., speaks with members of the press about debt limit negotiations

Debt ceiling: What's in, what's out of the deal to avert US default

After an agreement in principle was reached, negotiators are racing to finalize the bill’s text.

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Funding for child care stabilization grants, which was part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021,  will expire September 30.

This was used to improve child care programs by increasing worker compensation and other needs. This could impact more than 70,000 programs and more than three million children, according to The Century Foundation.

Finally, millions of people with Medicaid coverage may lose their benefits this fall as states can now review recipients’ eligibility.

Some pandemic-era aid has already expired, such as enhanced unemployment benefits and increased child tax credits.

@scrippsnews A few pandemic-era relief programs will expire later this year. Do any of these impact you? #pandemic #money #economy ♬ original sound - Scripps News