Increasing hunger is a policy choice. The Big Ugly Bill already imposed the largest SNAP cut in the program’s history, and now, with the shutdown, millions more are at risk of losing access to the nutrition program when funding is depleted in two weeks.
The administration can―and must―take steps to protect SNAP benefits. SNAP running out of money would be catastrophic. Nearly 1 in 8 people, including 16 million children and 8 million people with disabilities, would go without the food assistance they need.
Two-thirds of the money needed to partially fund another month is in SNAP’s contingency fund, which must be used when regular funding falls short. The contingency fund has $6 billion, which is still short of the $8 billion needed to fully fund SNAP recipients per month. The administration can use other measures to ensure families get full November benefits―and they must act ASAP to give states guidance and enough time to get families the help they need to put food on the table.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration, via the United States Department of Agriculture, moved $300 million to WIC, the nutrition program that serves women, infants, and children. It’s time for the administration to do the same for SNAP, by tapping funds that are allowed by law to be used for this purpose.
CHN blogpost recapping this event along with resources and the recording: Our Path Forward: Advocates nationwide join in CHN’s webinar on how to protect people despite threats from the new Administration and Congress
You know much is at risk as the new Congress gets started, even before Inauguration Day. People across the nation are concerned about high costs, but there are serious threats that Congress and the new Administration will make things worse for many millions of people, while enriching multi-millionaires and corporations with more tax breaks.
But this is not a done deal.
The congressional majority is slim and divided. We can protect people and the programs they need – if we work together.
Find out how you can make a difference. You’ll hear about strategies that have worked in the past and can work again. You’ll learn about resources and tools to make it easier for you to join in.
You’ll hear from national experts on how to protect children, families, immigrants, people who need health care, food aid, and more.
– Linda Spears | President and CEO – Child Welfare League of America
– Raha Wala | Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy
National Immigration Law Center
– Amy Matsui | Senior Director of Income Security – National Women’s Law Center
– Deborah Weinstein | Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs
– Dorian Warren | Co-President Community Change
– Ellen Teller – moderator | Chief Government Affairs Officer, Food Research & Action Center