The debt ceiling bill will put almost 750,000 older adults—45,000 in New York State—at risk of losing food assistance through an expansion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s (SNAP) time limits, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), Debt Ceiling Agreement’s SNAP Changes Would Increase Hunger and Poverty for Many Older Low-Income People; New Exemptions Would Help Some Others. The bill, signed by President Biden on June 3, includes significant policy changes to SNAP. It expands SNAP time limits related to work-reporting requirements to those ages 50-54, increasing the number of people who must prove they are working or taking part in work training for at least 20 hours a week to receive more than three months of benefits over three years. Previous time limits applied to able-bodied adults without dependents ages 49 and younger. The debt ceiling bill also includes exemptions from time limits for veterans, people who are homeless, and young adults aging out of foster care. Improved access to SNAP for these vulnerable groups is a positive development. However, the expansion of SNAP time limits will jeopardize food assistance for many older adults, including those who face barriers to employment, are already working, or should be exempt but are unable to navigate onerous administrative requirements. Read more about the bill’s changes to SNAP in CBPP’s report. The Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWD) three-month time limit rule is waived in New York State through February 29, 2024. Hunger Solutions New York will provide more information about these changes in SNAP policy as they are available. |
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Current Farm Bill Expires September 30 The Farm Bill is a comprehensive piece of legislation that sets federal policies governing food and agriculture programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Millions of New Yorkers rely on Farm Bill nutrition programs like SNAP to access healthy food to feed themselves and their families. Congress reauthorizes the Farm Bill every five years. With the current bill expiring on September 30 and the reauthorization process for the 2023 Farm Bill underway, SNAP stakeholders have a critical opportunity to advocate for policies that protect and strengthen SNAP. To ensure all New Yorkers can get the food they need, Congress must pass a Farm Bill that expands equitable access to SNAP and ensures benefit adequacy. Join us in urging Congress to protect and strengthen SNAP and support the 2.9 million New Yorkers who rely on it to put food on the table. Here’s how to get involved: Hunger Solutions New York will provide updates and action alerts on the Farm Bill throughout the reauthorization. |
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Federal Public Health Emergency Ends, Some SNAP Waivers Continue Through June The federal public health emergency ended on May 11, 2023. However, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has approved SNAP COVID-19 waivers allowing for recertification period extensions, interview adjustments, and telephonic signatures through June 30, 2023. Through June, SNAP offices are able to extend SNAP certification periods for up to 6 months for SNAP-only cases with certification periods expiring on or before June 30, 2023. This waiver is intended to help districts redistribute and balance their SNAP recertification workload throughout the year ahead and promote timely approval of benefits for households who continue to be eligible for SNAP. For more details, please refer to the “4/5/23 Update” under the SNAP drop-down box on the following page: COVID-19 Updates. Also in effect through June, SNAP offices are not required to interview a new or recertifying household if the applicant’s identity has been verified and other mandatory information has been provided and validated. Interview waivers also apply to new SNAP applications that are eligible for expedited processing. The Telephonic Signature Waiver will also continue to be available to SNAP offices in NYS through June 30, 2023. For more details, please refer to the “5/23/23 Update” under the SNAP drop-down box on the following page: COVID-19 Updates. |
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