Food assistance is at risk–again. Just months after Congress rejected cuts to our most important food assistance program (SNAP), the Administration is now proposing to implement, through executive action, a second SNAP benefits cut it failed to secure through legislation. Remarkably, the Trump Administration is targeting people who manage to increase their earnings modestly and who struggle to maintain a small amount of savings. Increasing earnings and maintaining savings – these are exactly the steps forward government policies should encourage. The Trump Administration wants to make these people worse off.
More than 40 states choose under current law to provide SNAP to families with more savings than otherwise allowed by SNAP rules, and to allow SNAP benefits to working households with somewhat higher income but with significant expenses for shelter and child care. This current policy option is known as “Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility” (or “Cat El”). The Trump Administration is proposing to eliminate these options for states.
The impact? The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposal would eliminate SNAP benefits for 3.1 million individuals and take free school meals away from 500,000 children in those families. We cannot let that happen. Add your comment today condemning these proposed cuts to SNAP, and share with your networks!
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