1.28.2014 CFPA urges the California Congressional delegation to vote “no” on H.R. 2642, which includes a significant cut to SNAP (known as CalFresh in California) of $8.6 billion over ten years. H.R. 2642 would restrict a provision, known as the “Heat and Eat” initiative, that aligns and coordinates utility and food assistance among low-income households. In January 2013, California implemented the “Heat and Eat” provision. If H.R. 2642 passes, an estimated 300,000 SNAP households in California would lose an average of $62 in benefits, per month. In addition to hurting low-income families, the state economy would lose out on an estimated $275 million in FY 2013-2014 that would have come from the current funding level.
CFPA opposes any farm bill that includes cuts to SNAP when the economy is still recovering, when income inequality continues to grow, and Californians continue to struggle to make ends meet.
