The Impending Impact: Who Will Suffer Most as Pandemic Benefits Fade

As pandemic-era benefits expire, millions of Americans are facing the end of economic assistance they have relied on. Programs such as federal student loan payment pauses, child care grants, and Medicaid coverage are coming to an end, impacting households across the country. The resumption of student loan payments raises concerns as borrowers have taken on additional debt during the pandemic. The expiration of federal grants for child care programs could result in program closures and millions of children losing their spots. Medicaid enrollment is expected to decline as states terminate coverage for ineligible residents. Additionally, the work requirement for food stamps has been reinstated, potentially leaving hundreds of thousands without access to benefits.