Food assistance is at risk again! Just months after Congress and the Administration debated and reauthorized the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through the Farm Bill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now proposing to limit states’ flexibility in administering SNAP, which would leave 3.1 million Americans, including 500,000 children, at risk of hunger. This proposal will disproportionately affect working families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities.
The USDA proposal would eliminate a policy called “broad-based categorical eligibility,” used by states to raise income limits to enable families with slightly higher incomes but significant expenses for housing and child care to receive SNAP assistance. The USDA proposal would eliminate SNAP benefits for 3.1 million individuals, take free school meals away from the children in those families, and punish people with even meager savings.
It is critical that we speak out against this proposed policy change and that the USDA hears from you about how your agency and community will be impacted. The Administration is seeking comments until Monday, September 23rd.
NJHSA is submitting its own comment together with JFNA, but it is crucial for the Administration to hear from local Jewish agencies as well.
We have made it easy to submit a comment by using this template.
More information about Categorical Eligibility can be found here.
Submit your comment via this portal by September 23rd at 11:59pm. View instructions for how to submit your comment here. Please email Darcy Hirsh, NJHSA Washington Representative, a copy of your submitted comment so that we can track the community response.
If you have questions, please contact Darcy Hirsh. Thank you for joining us in this effort.
