Oh SNAP!
With all the attention on food shortages due to the government shutdown, folks missed Nov1 changes to SNAP eligibility. While hundreds of thousands will find themselves kicked off, more hundreds of thousands will lose eligibility because they didn’t know they had new reporting requirements. Spread the word, even if you don’t think you know people on SNAP. The more we share the news, the more the algorithms will promote that news.
How to do it:
Changes to the Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents rule begin December 1st in most states. Even for those whose eligibility hasn’t changed, paperwork requirements may. Some states will change their re-certification schedule to insure compliance, and others who qualify for exceptions may need to prove it. Working poor also have new reporting requirements in many places.
These groups have new work requirements kicking in.
- people aged 55-64 without dependents
- parents whose children are all 14 or older
- people who are homeless, veterans, adults aging out of foster care
- several groups of legal immigrants
Our job is to make sure people know about the changes to eligibility and reporting. Some news estimates hundreds of thousands will lose benefits simply because they don’t file new forms. We boost the signal. You can start with this post, or one of these articles with details about the changes:
- Detailed reporting from MSM
- AP news overview of eligibility changes
- Recertify, don’t wait and have to reapply!
Other ways to help:
Volunteer opportunities: The work requirement allows non-paid (volunteer) work. If you run a certified non-profit with a volunteer program that includes reporting (as many do for high school students and court-ordered public service hours) you have an opportunity here. Many working poor will struggle to meet the 20 hour/week requirements because the working poor tend to hold (often multiple) unreliable jobs. If you can offer drop-in hours for people who realize they’re going to fall a few hours short, you can preserve their eligibility.
Mentor applicants: if you’re on SNAP, or you have relevant experience (e.g. a social worker) consider holding workshops to help people complete paperwork. Be a bureaucracy tutor!
And of course, keep feeding people! Hundreds of thousands will lose eligibility with these changes, as prices rise and our economy crashes. If you began a project during the shutdown, keep going. Food insecurity existed before Trump, and it’s only going to get much, much worse.
