New ‘SNAP’ program rules

For hundreds of thousands of people, food insecurity could become an everyday reality in the wake of a new policy change to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as ‘SNAP.’

The Trump Administration is pushing a policy that would lead to people losing access to the program. Before, regulations allowed for states to waive an existing work requirement if the area’s unemployment rate is 20 percent higher than the national rate.

Under the new rules, states can only waive that requirement in areas where the unemployment rate is above seven percent. It’s also been proposed to eliminate the states’ ability to set higher gross income and asset eligibility thresholds.

It’s believed these new rules will save the government $5.5 billion.

Salvation Army Major Anita Caldwell says losing this assistance will be detrimental to those who rely on the program. “We thank ‘SNAP’ for all they do, but if that assistance is lost, we’re going to have a great urgency for both the funding and for the food to help those in need.”

The new rule goes into effect April 1^st.