Food News

The changes made to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can impact 750,000 Americans. The changes were introduced following the debt ceiling bill signed by President Biden into law in early June and will take effect from Friday, September 1. 

Before the changes in SNAP, people aged between 18-49 were eligible for the SNAP benefits but now adults aged between 18-50 years having no kids have to show proof of working at least 80 hours a month to avail of the SNAP benefits. Besides this, people can also enroll in education or training programs to receive SNAP benefits. 

The age requirement to receive SNAP benefits will also change from October 1 and will increase to 52 years. The ones exempt from the new requirements are homeless people, veterans, and adults aged 18-24 years who have aged out of foster care. 

Due to the changes introduced in SNAP, several local organizations are ready to help in times of emergencies such as the food bank which serves around 97000 people in 11 counties. The number is expected to increase more in the future as families will be making use of these services more than once a week.

Besides food banks, several other organizations are coming forward to help low-income individuals and families. Due to these changes, the food pantries have to gear up to get more donations to help more people in need.

More than 3.7 Million people having low income rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to feed their families and fulfill their basic needs.