As the nation’s largest federal food assistance program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the first line of defense against child food insecurity. SNAP works efficiently and effectively by providing low-income households with monthly funds specifically designated for food purchases. Research links participation in SNAP for 6 months with an 8.5 percentage point decrease in food insecurity in households with children.
A recent proposed rule from the US Department of Agriculture would undermine that flexibility by tightening the requirements by which states can receive SNAP time-limit waivers for so-called Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents. However, this proposed rule would not just harm low-income adults facing barriers to employment. Instead, it will also have the unintended consequence of harming children and very vulnerable young adults. It is important for child advocates to submit comments by the deadline of April 2, 2019, to combat this harmful rule. Adapt the following model comment to voice your opposition to the USDA’s proposed changes.