Almost one in 10 Nebraskans receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, formerly known as food stamps, but that could change in the new year.

If a 2021 expansion of income eligibility put in place during the pandemic is allowed to "sunset" in 2023, many fewer households and individuals will qualify for SNAP.

Officials with Community Action of Nebraska said some believe since many jobs lost when COVID was at its peak have come back, there should be less need for food assistance.

But they said that isn't what their staff has been seeing.

"Around that same time is when this inflationary economy hit, right?" said Tina Rockenback, Community Action of Nebraska. "And it's still continuing to hit. With the way rent has gone up; the way utilities costs have gone up, gas, food at the grocery store. People are just struggling to hit ends meet."

Seventy-two percent of Nebraska SNAP recipients last year were families with children, and 30% included an older adult or a person with disabilities.

If allowed to "sunset," state income eligibility requirements will return to 130% of federal poverty guidelines from the current 165%.