The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently proposed a drastic change to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that would eliminate access to critical food assistance for 3 million people, including 10,000 Nebraskans.
You can help us fight against this proposal by commenting to protect our neighbors by Monday, September 23.
SNAP is an essential tool to fight hunger and poverty.
It assists children, older adults, people with disabilities, and those who can’t work full time because they provide care for a loved one.
One pathway to qualifying for food assistance, known as “categorical eligibility,” which gives states flexibility to modestly adjust SNAP income or asset limits. This slight modification makes SNAP accessible to those on or slightly over the federal poverty line─ those for whom a little extra money for groceries goes a long way.
The USDA’s proposed rule restricts states’ flexibility around categorical eligibility. Working households who modestly increase their earnings to maintain a small amount of savings are going to be penalized — eliminating food assistance for some of the most vulnerable members of our community. In Nebraska, this change would force 10,000 of our neighbors to choose between food and their small savings.
TAKE ACTION
Under federal law, the government is required to read and respond to every unique comment before issuing a final rule. That’s why we need you to take action and submit your comment today. It is critically important for Nebraskans to stand together so that we can show how many people are opposed to this proposal.
Take a moment to submit a public comment against this proposal
SNAP has a significant and positive impact on rural communities, local small businesses, grocery retailers, agriculture producers, and the economy as a whole. It provides basic and humane assistance to millions of families in need, and fosters a healthier community. Policies like these cruelly jeopardize food assistance for thousands of Nebraskans.
Will you join us in fighting against this harmful proposal?