The Trump Administration is preparing to shift the rules for how States grant Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), possibly forcing 3 million American adults and children to experience some form of food insecurity and hunger.
Most states automatically enroll individuals and families in SNAP when they qualify for other federal benefits, and this opens the door for abuse, according to the federal Department of Agriculture. The Trump Administration has announced guidelines that direct states to only give food aid to households living 130% below the federal poverty level. (This usually looks like a family of four earning less than $33,000 yearly).
It's a dangerous move to save $2.5 billion dollars annually, argue advocates. While the SNAP program may see savings, other services that respond to crises will have to "pick up the slack." The long term affects of hunger include rapid weight loss, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, dizziness, poor mental health and trauma. It hinders young developing brains and bodies from reaching their full potential.
This isn't the first time SNAP has been attacked by the Trump Administration. Last year the Senate blocked attempts to change qualifying terms amidst the renewal of the valuable food stamp program.
Among the many hardships working families with children face, the change will primarily affect those who experience temporary unemployment and/or are trying to build themselves up and out of poverty.
You can weigh in on the suggested policy changes by filing out the survey before September 23, 2019.
For more information watch the news brief on MYNBC5 and read the article by Time.
Side notes:
- The Trump Administration is preparing to shift the rules for how States grant Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), possibly forcing 3 million American adults and children to experience some form of food insecurity and hunger.
- 82,000 Vermonters rely on 3SquaresVT for to fill their cupboards and qualify their children for school lunch.
- Photo credit to Karen Pike on Vermont Image Relay.