8.8.2013 When Congress reconvenes in early September, the House will likely vote on a Republican-backed bill that would cut SNAP funding by $40 billion over ten years, double the amount of SNAP cuts in earlier farm bill proposals.
The latest proposal would:
- Eliminate waivers that currently allow states, during times of high unemployment, to provide SNAP benefits to unemployed adults ages 18-50, without dependents, beyond three months. (Under normal circumstances, such adults would be limited to three months of SNAP benefits out of every three years, regardless of how much they seek employment).
- Undo CA’s efforts to simplify paperwork and streamline enrollment in SNAP through a ‘heat and eat’ initiative.
- Restrict the use of ‘categorical eligibility’ policies, which are pivotal in preventing Californians from hitting “rock bottom” and exhausting their resources before applying for SNAP. Categorical eligibility promotes asset development and retention, which we know are key strategies to combating poverty.
How would this impact California?
- Lost economic activity as a result of fewer federal nutrition dollars flowing into the economy.
- Roughly 346,000 single adults without dependents would become ineligible for SNAP, even as unemployment rates remain high. Link
- Around 300,000 California households would lose around $62 in benefits every month if the “Heat and Eat” initiative ended (this alone would cost CA to lose out on $155 million federal nutrition dollars).
- Nearly 280,000 Californians would lose benefits if categorical eligibility were restricted. Link
As of 8/8/2013, all of California’s Democratic Congressmembers have signed on to a recent letter to Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi (written by Congresswoman DeLauro (CT) and Congressman McGovern (MA)) expressing support for SNAP. Link
Stay tuned for opportunities to take action.
