Fund SNAP Before Benefits Run Out!

As the federal government shutdown continues, millions of Americans are caught in uncertainty — including young families who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for nutritional support. More than 1.9 million Illinois residents rely on SNAP to put food on the table. Out of 357 participants who enrolled in programming at New Moms in the last two years, 259 were receiving SNAP at the time of entry. At the time of intake, that is about $110,000 in SNAP benefits per month.

Without immediate action from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to fund full SNAP benefits OR an end to the shutdown, states, including Illinois, will only be allowed to issue partial November SNAP benefits, threatening a food crisis across Illinois and the nation. Administrative constraints in administering the benefits can cause significant delay in the receipt of even partial SNAP benefits.

Americans have decided to stand in the gap for those who experience hunger, to ensure nutrition through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP provides much more than food assistance. It improves public health, bolsters economic stability, and ensures that children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities do not go hungry.

By law, individuals and families who meet SNAP's eligibility requirements are entitled to benefits. However, USDA has indicated it will run out of SNAP funding for November due to the government shutdown. Fortunately, most of the funds needed for a full month of benefits are available in SNAP's contingency fund and must be used when regular funding for SNAP runs short. To fill the remaining gap, the Administration can use the same discretionary authority it exercised earlier this month to transfer funds to the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, ensuring families receive their full SNAP benefits in November. The Administration has indicated it will not use its discretionary authority to continue funding full nutrition assistance. We need to keep the pressure on to demand that they take action and reverse this decision.

The federal government has the authority to fund some priorities, like SNAP, during a continued shutdown. There is no greater priority than protecting 40 million people from hunger. However, the USDA's lack of direction leaves families and state agencies in limbo. USDA must act now to protect SNAP benefits in November and give clear, actionable guidance to every state on how to proceed with SNAP allocations so that Illinois families can afford food next month.

Join New Moms in urging our federal elected officials to demand that the federal government fund SNAP benefits, standing in the gap between hunger and economic stability for young families.

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Your Message to the legislators

Dear (name and title inserted automatically),

As your constituent and champion of young families, I urge you to support funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Imagine there’s a baby in the room who is crying from hunger. Their hunger won’t wait. There is also a mom who is taking bold, brave steps towards economic mobility to care for their child. She’s just not there quite yet.

Americans have decided to stand in the gap, to ensure nutrition through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) while she builds a new future. However, in a policy reversal, federal officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have informed all states that it will not fund full November SNAP benefits if the federal government shutdown continues. As a result, SNAP customers do not have access to any new food benefits starting on November 1. By law, individuals and families who meet SNAP's eligibility requirements are entitled to benefits. However, USDA has indicated it will run out of funding for SNAP for November as a result of the government shutdown. Fortunately, most of the funds needed for a full month of benefits are available in SNAP's contingency fund and must be used when regular funding for SNAP runs short. To fill the remaining gap, the Administration can use the same discretionary authority it used to transfer funds to WIC earlier this month to ensure that families receive their full SNAP benefits in November. We need to keep the pressure on the Administration to prioritize this funding when exercising its discretionary authority and fund full SNAP benefits now.

I care deeply about the young families partnering with New Moms in their pursuit of a bright future and economic mobility. Out of 357 participants who enrolled in programming at New Moms in the last two years, 259 were receiving SNAP at the time of entry. At intake, that is about $110,000 in SNAP benefits per month. As Miah shares, these benefits are helping keep children fed and making ends meet from month to month.

"I will be impacted severely if I do not receive SNAP benefits for November. I am a single mom of 3 children who has rent, insurance, bills, daycare fees, and living essentials, which leaves me with barely anything after it is taken out. I contribute to SNAP with my taxes, and a stop to SNAP means a waste of my tax money. My youngest receives a special formula that costs over $100 a month, whilst I also purchase Almond milk every week for my oldest two. My 4-year-old twins are growing rapidly, which shows through their appetite. I don't purchase sugary snacks, so the healthier options are, of course, more expensive, and groceries will be even higher once I start to pack them lunch for school."
--Miah, Mom of 3 under 5

Miah is not alone in recognizing that benefits are already losing impact as families face higher food prices. I am working with New Moms to shore up and distribute information about alternative ways to keep their families nourished. We recognize that the existing food pantry system cannot make up for the difference in SNAP benefits,  nor can it replicate the economic stimulus that SNAP benefits provide in our communities. The economic multiplier for SNAP benefits in Illinois is estimated at $1.54 to $1.80 per $1 in SNAP spending, reflecting the boost to local economies from grocery store purchases.

The USDA should direct states to continue accepting and processing SNAP applications during the shutdown, as required by SNAP regulations. The federal government has the authority to fund some priorities, like SNAP, during a continued shutdown. There is no greater priority than protecting 40 million people from hunger.

Hunger doesn't wait. The USDA must act now to protect young families from hunger and support their journey to economic mobility and bold futures. Please do everything in your power to ensure SNAP is funded and that millions of Americans have food on their tables next month and in the months after. We urge you to reinforce the values and policy choices that the majority of Americans have long supported in your work in the days ahead.

Thank you for your time.