Collins, Manchin Urge Administration to Halt SNAP Proposal That Would Severely Curtail Food Assistance for Low-Income Families, Seniors, and People with Disabilities

“A public health or economic crisis is not the time for rulemaking that would without question result in more people experiencing food insecurity and hunger.”

Washington, D.C.—In a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) expressed their continued opposition to a proposal that would put food assistance benefits at risk for 3.1 million individuals, including more than 44,000 in Maine and 25,000 in West Virginia. Senators Collins and Manchin urged USDA— in light of the deepening public health and economic crisis— to immediately suspend rulemaking on the proposal, which was originally published in July 2019.

Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, USDA’s proposed rule revising eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was extremely concerning as it would severely restrict Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility.  Now, however, attempts to refine categorical eligibility requirements could notably affect populations at higher risk for severe illness associated with COVID-19, including seniors and individuals with underlying health conditions.

“As millions of Americans face increased food insecurity as a result of COVID-19, we write today to highlight the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as a vital safety net for families who are struggling to navigate these challenging times,” wrote Senators Collins and Manchin.  “We believe it would be an irresponsible step backwards for the Administration to proceed with any proposal to dramatically limit eligibility or decrease benefits during this pandemic or the economic recovery.”

Beyond those individuals who would be directly impacted by the proposal, entire communities suffer when rates of food insecurity and hunger rise.  Food banks across the country are experiencing unprecedented demand as a result of the pandemic, and this rule, if finalized, would place additional strain on our charitable food system. If implemented, the proposed rule would also greatly increase administrative burdens on states, which are already stretched thin responding to COVID-19.      

SNAP is the largest federal nutrition safety net program, serving 38 million people nationally and nearly 160,000 in Maine and on average 300,000 in West Virginia.  Congress has provided nearly $16 billion to meet projected increases in demand and to pay for flexibilities granted in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. 

Click HERE to read the full letter.