WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Ranking Member of the Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture Subcommittee, led 29 Members in a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inquiring about recent reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the cost of living increase to Social Security benefits and the termination of the COVID-19 emergency.
In December 2022, the U.S. Social Security Administration announced Social Security benefits and Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI) payments would increase by 8.7% in 2023. While more than 65 million seniors saw an increase in Social Security, the additional income adversely resulted in the complete removal from SNAP or severe cuts to benefits for those who rely on the program for nutritious meals.
Additionally, the Members stressed their concerns over the expiration of SNAP Emergency Allotments which simultaneously decreased SNAP benefits in participating states. It is estimated Connecticut households enrolled in SNAP will lose $34 million. The inquiry further requests USDA provide clarification to what resources beneficiaries received ahead of the reductions and guidance on how to address the matter legislatively to prevent food insecurity among those affected.
“We write today with grave concern for the millions of households losing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the recent cost of living increase to Social Security benefits and the termination of the COVID-19 emergency. These changes are causing an undue burden on vulnerable families in our districts, forcing them to make difficult choices on how to put food on the table,” wrote Congresswoman Hayes and her colleagues. “We ask today what the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is doing to ensure all the individuals who have lost their SNAP benefits do not go hungry."
The letter is signed by Representatives Steven Horsford (NV-04),Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Terri A. Sewell (AL-07), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Pramila Jayapal (WA-7), Yadira Caraveo (CO-08), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), John B. Larson (CT-01), Donald M. Payne Jr. (NJ-10), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson Jr. (GA-04), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Shontel M. Brown (OH-11), David N. Cicilline (RI-01), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Greg Casar (TX-35), and Andrea Salinas (OR-06).
A copy of the letter can be found here and the full text below.
Dear Secretary Vilsack,
We write today with grave concern for the millions of households losing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the recent cost of living increase to Social Security benefits and the termination of the COVID-19 emergency. These changes are causing an undue burden on vulnerable families in our districts, forcing them to make difficult choices on how to put food on the table. While the 8.7% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income was welcome news, this action deemed many recipients ineligible for SNAP – ultimately, negating the adjustment entirely. Compiled with the termination of COVID-19 Emergency Allotments, our constituents are struggling to make ends meet.
At the very least, families should be able to stay within their limited budget and not go hungry. We ask today what the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is doing to ensure all the individuals who have lost their SNAP benefits do not go hungry.
During a once-in-a-lifetime global pandemic, Congress fought to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and maximize SNAP benefits for a historic number of families across the country. In fact, recent numbers show that more than 42 million people participated in SNAP in 2022, the most in recent years and SNAP Emergency Allotments authorized by FFCRA reduced poverty by 9.6 percent and child poverty by 14.0 percent in states utilizing them.1 Without it, my state of Connecticut will lose $34 million in SNAP benefits, meaning each household will have $155 dollars less to spend on food.
The harm of our constituents losing SNAP benefits and going hungry is something we cannot accept. Early this year, nearly 11 percent of adults reported they did not have enough to eat in the previous week and that number is expected to grow. Less money for food means an electricity bill goes unpaid, a car cannot be repaired, or a prescription goes unfilled. In the worst circumstances, hunger can increase the risk of chronic disease and mental health problems such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 outlines categories of household income that can be excluded when calculating income for SNAP eligibility, including childcare, certain medical expenses, and excess shelter costs. However, most of our constituents are unaware of these deductions, which can be a deciding factor in applying for SNAP and not going hungry.
At a time when many members of Congress are unwilling to adequately increase funding for SNAP, families cannot tolerate a blow to food security while grocery prices continue to skyrocket, despite cooling inflation. We urge USDA to respond to the following questions to ensure SNAP participants can maintain their access to healthy, nutritious foods. We ask that you respond to the following questions by April 3, 2023, so Congress may better understand how to address this matter legislatively.
- What directives have been shared with state/local SNAP agencies to prepare staff for the end of SNAP Emergency Allotments and the increased Social Security COLA?
- Have staff members at state and local SNAP agencies been provided with resources or guidance to proactively inform SNAP participants of available deductions?
- Has the USDA directed state and local SNAP agencies to publicize the awareness of deductions via widespread messaging campaign?
- What guidance or resources were provided to individuals who were deemed ineligible for SNAP due to the COLA increase?
- What guidance or resources were provided to participants who saw a decrease in SNAP benefits due to the termination of SNAP Emergency Allotments?
SNAP is a demonstrated program that improves the employment, health, family security, and nutrition outcomes for millions of people across the country. We are committed to strengthening and safeguarding this life-stabilizing program.
We thank you for your attention to this urgent matter and look forward to your response.