During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the federal government’s expansion of benefit program assistance provided critical support. The American Rescue Plan increased the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit, invested in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and enhanced tax credits to help cover child care costs.1 The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) subsidized internet costs, thereby improving telehealth access, which became a crucial resource during the pandemic.[2] The positive effects of such programs on health and well-being offer promising opportunities to support vulnerable communities and address the “health-wealth” gap; benefit programs have been shown to reduce food insecurity, decrease emergency department (ED) visits, and increase employment.[3] Four years after the pandemic, the expiration of these temporary programs signals a looming crisis for vulnerable communities, leaving many to face the consequences of lost support. For example, as communication, education, and healthcare increasingly shifted online following the pandemic, the end of the ACP in June 2024 left many without affordable internet access, further isolating them and limiting their ability to engage in learning and preventive care.[4] This loss has exacerbated the ‘digital divide’ and deepened health inequalities.[5] Many other programs which provided economic support to individuals and businesses have phased out, resulting in a sudden loss of benefits that left families and communities more economically vulnerable, with notable impacts on poverty and food security across the United States.[6]