The Trump Administration released a proposal to tighten food stamp eligibility, a move that could end aid for up to three million people. It’s a change that has some food banks worried about a possible increase in customers.
“We are still serving 92,000 people every single month, and those numbers have not reduced much at all," said Jocelyn Lantrip with the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. “Half of those are children and seniors, who are having a very difficult time making ends meet, a lot of working families as well."
The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services says more than 46,000 Nevadans would be affected if the proposal went into effect..
The Trump Administration wants to close a so-called "loophole," that officials believe leads to abuse of the system. The current law allows people who receive welfare benefits to be automatically enrolled in the food stamps, also known as the Supplemental Nutritional Aid Program or “SNAP". The new guideline would change who would be eligible.
It will go from 200% of the poverty rate to 130% of the poverty rate. Which means fewer people would qualify. A person's income and assets would be reviewed to see if they qualify.
“All of these things are encouraging people not to save, not to have anything, in order to eat, and it's already difficult enough," said Lantrip.
Under the proposal, kids who currently automatically qualify for free lunches would have to apply separately for the meals. "Here in Northern Nevada, 1 in 5 of our kids doesn’t have the meals that they need to be healthy, to grow, to do well in school."
Governor Steve Sisolak says, "This proposal will negatively impact families all across the state. Food insecurity is common in many Nevada households, and the benefits provided by the SNAP program assist families in buying healthy foods and stretching their food dollars."
Based on information from the USDA, the Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services estimates an approximate 11% reduction in those who qualify for SNAP under the Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility policy, which represents about 46,000 people, from a caseload of approximately 419,350.
While they wait for a decision, officials at the Food Bank of Northern Nevada ask the public for their support. "Volunteering, doing food drive, helping us....you know every single dollar helps us provide three meals, so we couldn't do it without the support of the community."
For now this is only a proposal from the USDA, and they are looking for public comment for the next 60 days. If you would like to comment you can click here. For more information on the rule, you can click here.
