SNAP Benefits Could Dramatically Change in One State Under New Bill

Thousands in Kentucky could soon be ineligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments after a new bill advanced to the state Senate, economic analysts have warned.

House Bill 367 passed the state House of Representatives on February 22. It would install a test for families that the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy said would force applicants to prove they have assets below $2,750. This figure is $4,250 for "seniors and people with disabilities."

SNAP is a "federal nutrition assistance program," according to the Benefits.gov website and exists to help low-income individuals buy groceries. SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, are used by "41.9 million people in 22.2 million households" according to analysis by the Pew Research Center using data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Census Bureau.

The bill would essentially transfer power from a state cabinet to the House to waive work requirements for "able bodied adults without dependents."

Currently, a state cabinet can ask the U.S. government to waive SNAP work requirements—greater restrictions on access to SNAP payments—for people in poorer areas.

Republicans have a sizable majority in both the state House and Senate, but Kentucky's governor is Andy Beshear, a Democrat.

The governor could issue a veto if the bill passes the Senate in its current form, but an override in Kentucky is a simple constitutional majority of 50 percent plus one vote in each chamber.

Republicans in the state legislature will have an incentive to pass the bill before the final two days of the session. Any vetoes on bills during this period cannot be overridden.

Newsweek has approached Beshear's office for comment via email.

Bill sponsor, Republican state Rep. Wade Williams, said the state's current SNAP policies are "too lucrative," according to a report by Louisville Public Media.

The current situation "keeps people from getting back in the workforce," Williams added.

Democrats have expressed concerns the bill will prevent eligible families from saving in the future.

Louisville Democratic Rep. Josie Raymond said: "Under this bill, people in poverty can't save for a car. They can't save for a down payment or a security deposit."

Nationwide, Republicans and Democrats have long argued over the benefits of SNAP. SNAP advocates argue the program is vital for keeping hungry children fed when budgets are too tight, but its opponents says its discourages people from finding work and makes them too reliant on government funds.

A proposed new rule in New York could see the minimum monthly SNAP amount quadrupled.

New York-based people eligible for SNAP can currently claim a minimum of $23 per month for help with essential groceries. Senate Bill S7663 and Assembly Bill A6214A would see a "state SNAP minimum benefit program" introduced, according to respective bills introduced to the New York Senate and Assembly.

One bill sponsor, Assembly member Jessica González-Rojas, said: "We must ensure no child goes to bed with an empty stomach, so I'm proposing a bill to maintain a minimum monthly SNAP benefit of $100 to support families with healthy food."

Both the Assembly and Senate in New York are Democrat-led.

In West Virginia, the Republican-dominated State Senate signed off on a bill to "expand the employment and training requirements necessary to receive SNAP benefits." This applies to people who are childless, able bodied and aged from 18 to 53.

From today, those who claim SNAP are able to spend their benefits online and buy groceries from Thrive Market. Thrive Market specializes in healthy and organic products and says the change will "redefine how Americans can access healthy options."